Enough Is Enough - Apraku Cautions NPP

Government functionaries and executives of the New Patriotic Party have been cautioned to be mindful of their conduct, and appreciate the fact that they would have themselves to blame if their acts of commissions and omissions should culminate in the party's defeat in the December elections, and allow the return of the NDC to power.

The party's national campaign director, Kofi Konadu Apraku, who gave the caution at the launch of a seventeen-member campaign team for the Western Region over the weekend, said the party had made enough of avoidable mistakes, which could have telling consequences on its chances in the December elections, if allowed to continue. The flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, has also called on party members to put the problems that have dogged the party’s parliamentary primaries behind them and march forward for the expected victory in December.

Dr Apraku said the main opposition NDC could not stand shoulder to shoulder with the NPP when their records are laid side by side, and that it would be unfortunate for the Kufour-led administration to hand over power to the NDC after the December elections, due to avoidable mistakes by the party members. It was in the light of this that he urged the party members to remain focused and committed in their duties, and campaign effectively to make the NPP attractive to the electorate.

Dr. Apraku, who also called for greater unity amongst party members, said the NPP would soon embark on a programme of re-assembling all former disillusioned and angry government functionaries and party executives, as part of effort to bring them on board to support the party’s campaign. He said this move was the first step in re-building the support and energy the NPP had in the past, especially during the 1996 elections. Dr. Apraku expressed strong belief that the campaign team would help the party once again make history in the election.

Outlining the functions of the regional campaign team, which is under the chairpersonship of the incumbent MP for Takoradi and Minister of Fisheries, Gladys Asmah, Dr Apraku said it was to provide guidelines and structures at the constituency level. The team is also to develop organizational procedures for political leadership, as well as monitoring the campaign strategies at the constituency level. The National Chairman of the party, Peter Mac-Manu, urged the team to work conscientiously to increase the votes in the Western Region which had over the years played a key role in the NPP’s success story.

He admonished members of the team to be tactful in their dealings with the electorate and also develop an effective strategy of canvassing for the votes of members of identifiable groups like fishermen, farmers and mechanics. The regional chairman of the party and a member of the campaign team, Nana Owusu-Ankomah, said the northern part of the region, which was hitherto considered a 'no go area ‘ for the NPP, would fall to the party come December. He described the perception that the area is an NDC stronghold as "psychological," adding that the NPP was poised to capture the area in the December elections. That electoral feat, he believes, will be achieved due to the massive development the ruling party has undertaken in the area.

Other members of the campaign team are the regional minister, Anthony Evans Amoah, his deputy, Kwesi Blay, the Minister for Trade, Industry and PSI, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, the Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive, Joshua Kwaagya Enlimah, and the deputy minister of Ports and Railways, Sophia Horner-Sam.