The 2016 general elections without doubt is one of the peaceful elections ever witnessed in this country. The euphoria among supporters of the New Patriotic Party and Ghanaians in general was enormous. The speedy nominations and confirmations of the MMDCEs again received applaud from the Ghanaian public. However, the celebrations appear short-lived especially in the Northern Region.

This week the media landscape is flooded with news of public protest by some youth of the New Patriotic Party. Some irate youth in Karaga and Sisala Districts rose against their DCEs. The reasons for these protests as reported had to do with the appointment of people to occupy certain positions. The youth accused the DCEs for appointing their family members and friends whilst neglecting party faithful. But should these reasons warrant the lawlessness being exhibited by the NPP youth?

It is difficult to entirely blame the action of the youth although the laws of Ghana frown on it. Some of the appointees of the president especially at the district levels have a lot to do. The youth went through difficult situations with most of them picking enmity with many people in their respective communities all in a bid to win voters for the NPP. The very people who are DCEs today worked with the people and saw what they did. Why should the DCEs give appointments without the input of the people whom they travelled with while in opposition?

In as much as the actions by the youth are condemnable the party itself must accept blame. It’s mind-boggling why the party decided to give so much power to the party executives. The constituency executives worked with all manner of people to deliver victory to the party. However, it appears the party has single out the executives in terms of reward leaving the other people unattended to. The party could have an alternative way of rewarding the executives while opening up positions at the constituency levels to all people who qualify to apply.

Well, this might be the tip of the iceberg. Many unthinkable things within the party have gone unreported. But the dangerous one is where appointees neglect people who gave out all they had in the name of the party. The explosion that will occur within the party in the coming days will be devastating. I’m sorry that the President has had to see this.

The commitment that people exhibited in the run-up to the 2016 elections may not be shown come 2020. And the party must blame some of the appointees for failing the President. The youth must be prioritized!


By: Zuberu Aliu

zuberu2010@gmail.com