PRESS STATEMENT

26th May, 2010





There seems to be growing attempts to create unnecessary tensions in our great party although unfortunately from within. Some misguided members of the fold are by their recent actions and public utterances suggesting that their personal idiosyncrasies and support for personalities reign supreme over the collective interest of the party. Their zeal to demonstrate and express their over-riding alliances to individual members at the expense of the party is a threat not only to our party’s unity but also compromises what is supposed to be our singular and most important objective presently in the life cycle of our party – How do we strategize and organize for our return to power in January, 2013?



Unlike recent unfolding events in the NDC where a section of its youth have virtually taken their party and indeed the government hostage, the youth wing of the NPP have vowed to ensure that our party remains focused, united and battle ready for 2012. As a party built on principles and governed by a constitution, we recognize that there cannot be any individual member greater than the whole party, hence we are calling for the enforcement of the use of the party structures to resolve and discipline situations as the case may be. The NPP is not for any individual or group but for us all who believe in its ideals and philosophies as laid down by our founding heroes.

After our 2008 loss, there have been several irresponsible comments by members of our party including persons whom much more, would logically be expected from but without any serious corresponding appropriate sanctions from the party leadership. Even as we speak, more divisive and insulting comments continue to be made since the period leading up to our constitutional review through our polling station, constituency, regional and national executive elections and the period after the flagbeareship nominations were opened.

Unfortunately comments which the youth wing considers to be grossly untoward have been made by persons the wing considers very highly.

The latest incident involving comments made by Mr. Kwame Pianim at the official campaign launch of one of the flagbearer aspirants is a clear indication that the party structures must be seen to be acting and biting where appropriate instead of just barking. As a party which preaches the rule of law and will stand against any form of lawlessness in Ghana, we cannot settle for any lesser standard within our party ranks. It’s sad that such reckless comments can come from a person so highly esteemed and regarded by the Youth Wing as a patriot of our heritage.

To make such comments about his fellow party founding members without any proof or evidence at such an occasion and time is not just a case of loose talk but unfortunate. Also, to even assume that an individual can alone steer this party back to power, transform this economy, rid it of corruption and indeed the only upright and intellectual aspirant in the NPP flagbearer contest is to say the least an apology. The unity of this party to our course is fundamental and above any other interest, any person or group that threatens this unity is a traitor and must be dealt with accordingly.

We acknowledge that the Steering Committee of the party has met and stated the party’s position not to take any action on Mr. Pianim’s comments and we respect that. We however want to use this opportunity to sound a note of caution to any individual or group, big or small, local or foreign based, that the youth wing would from henceforth not tolerate such utterances and conduct from which ever persons. This is time to work, not time for infighting, backbiting or casting innuendos at each other. We shall not entertain any group or person that would attempt to stand between us and our march to win back power in 2012. Mr. Kwame Pianim’s latest comments is a clear demonstration of his growing unpatriotic tendencies towards our party, tendencies that are grossly inconsistent with our values and drive to recapture power, but these tendencies can no longer be tolerated. Such statements are inexcusable and hurt not just the speakers own credibility but the party as well.



Looking back to the latest amendment of our constitution in 2009, where we expanded our national electoral delegates list from just under 3000 to a huge 115,000 delegates and the processes of electing our polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency, regional and the national executives, we are on track and must consider absolutely nothing as reasons good enough or worth derailing our single objective; to return to power in January, 2013.

We are calling on all our party activists, officers and members to desist from conducting themselves in a manner that will only come back to haunt us. The loyalty that we choose to recognize as the youth and members of this party can only be one – the unflinching loyalty to our party and country! Even as youth, we will not hesitate to sanction any of our members who decides to act untowardly towards the unity and cohesion of our party in accordance with the party’s constitution. We also send forth this message:

That the youth refuse to allow themselves to be used as tools of destruction by any individual or group to malign the integrity and personality of any party member.

Also, that the youth should condemn and expose senders of all cowardly and unscrupulous text messages. Furthermore, we call for such messages to be deleted to break the chain of text exchanges when and if it comes to us. The NPP youth will also want to demand of all its flagbearer contestants to be very circumspect in their language and that of persons supporting and working with them. It will be very divisive for any contender for the flagbearer position of our party to malign the other; hence the new and vibrant youth wing of our party will not condone any form of indecent campaigning from the camps of any of the aspirants.

As persons aspiring to lead the party to the highest office of the land, a lot more is expected of them. We call all of the party’s flagbearer aspirants to commit themselves and their surrogates to a decent campaign. The problems that confront our country today are numerous and demand the absolute unity of our party to unseat the NDC as we seek to liberate Ghanaians from the NDC policy induced deepening predicaments. The NPP Youth wing will not allow any individual or group to divert our focus on this objective.

Our only focus should be on how to unseat the NDC as well as win more parliamentary seats for our party in December, 2012. Also, let us acknowledge that even the most competitive competition can be clean and devoid of the abhorrent acrimonies leading to the December, 2007 NPP conference.

Irresponsible and reckless comments from leading members must not be condoned. They should not only be condemned but must also be quickly managed with the appropriate disciplinary actions before they explode, irrespective of who is involved. There cannot be any semblance of favouritism or victimization for any person or group in the sanctioning of members misconduct.

As we gradually approach the election of our flagbearer, it would be wise to demonstrate first, to ourselves that we have learnt from our immediate past mistakes. The campaign of insults and undermining text messages originating from within and without our fold as happened in 2007 must cease immediately as it will only come back to haunt us. There are no differences that cannot be resolved at the table of frank discussions.

We wish to call on our rank and file to be vigilant and alert for the infiltrations of traitors or moles within us. We will have no one but ourselves to blame if we fail to focus more on what unites us as a party. We will not welcome any attempt by any individual or group to sacrifice our future for such interest other than that of the collective and by extension, the party.



Long live the NPP Youth Wing

Long live the NPP

Long live Ghana.





Anthony Abayifaa Karbo





National Youth Organizer, NPP



0244204160