New Patriotic Party Debunks Ghanaian Democrat's Story On Its National Congress

The January 12-18, 1998 edition of the Ghanaian Democrat, a mouth-piece of the ruling National Democratic Congress of President Jerry John Rawlings carried the banner headline "NPP Congress Now A Jamboree" The paper claimed that at the weekend the top brass of the NPP met and took certain vital decisions on the party's political future without consulting the representatives from the 200 constituencies in the country. The Ghanaian Democrat alleged that the National Executive of the party had decided that each Presidential aspirant is required to pay a deposit of ?40 million even before they appear before the party's top hierarchy for vetting. When our correspondent, James Amoak, contacted Mr. Agyenin Boateng, General Secretary of the NPP, he said there was iota of truth in the Ghanaian Democrat's story. He said the party's national congress which should have been held late last year has been delayed by some procedural matters that have to be ironed out in line with the party's constitution. Mr. Agyenin Boateng said no leading member of the party has as yet openly declared his intention to vie for the Presidential slot of the party for the next general elections scheduled for the year 2000. He said the NPP has a proud democratic tradition and is religiously following that tradition. He said the National Congress will be held this year. gri