NPP Will Be In Power Till 2020 – MPs

Interviews with a cross-section of Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House indicate that the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) are bracing themselves for a tough and compromising 2004 Presidential and Party elections.

Whilst some NDC MPs are looking forward to political collaboration with the Convention People’s Party (CPP0, majority of the NPP MPs are looking beyond 2004, some saying they will stay in power continuously till 2020. Mr. John Mahama (NDC-Bole) said he thinks the 2004 elections will still be a two cornered political ‘fight’ between the NDC and NPP although the CPP is still a viable force. He does not see any third political force emerging in 2004. Mr. Mahama added: “Indeed, a lot of us who find ourselves in the NDC today actually have our roots from the CPP and I have every respect for the CPP and I have every respect for the CPP. Indeed, I believe in the CPP’s ideology and I think that the NDC clarifying that it is a social democratic party brings it closer to what Dr. Kwame Nkrumah stood for. I think there are avenues for collaboration between the CPP and the NDC.”

The NPP MP for Asunafo North, Mr. Ben Osei Kufour, was very optimistic” For now and the foreseeable future, NPP will lead this country till 2020 when we would have equalled the NDC’s record of 20 years in power, with all of ours being through the ballot box. We are also going to increase our seats in Parliament to between 160 and 167. Mr. Kufour does not foresee any political party or parties emerging as a viable third force in the 2004 elections because at the moment, the CPP has only one seat in Parliament, with the People’s National Convention (PNC) having three.

Mr. Francis Agbotse (NDC Ho West): “I believe NDC will win the 2004 elections. There is no doubt about that. The two major parties – the NDC and NPP will continue to dominate the country’s political scene for a long time to come. The other parties must re-organise themselves and avoid being swallowed by the big parties. The CPP in particular will need to do a lot of work, otherwise it might lose its political identity, when they have people like Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom and Freddie Blay being part of government.” An NPP MP, Paul Collins Ofori (Odoben/Brakwa) admitted that “the NPP has teething problems. Anyone who will not admit that is not being honest. But I also want to assure you that the NPP will win the next elections. Whatever problems the government faces will be taken care of within the next two years.”

Dr. Yaw Brempong Yeboah (NPP-Atwima) felt it is necessary for a third political force to come up but was wairy. “I don’t think the sentiments on the ground as at now are conducive for such a force to come up. I believe that people now know the difference between good governance and what prevailed in the past. I have a strong conviction that the NPP will win the 2004 and 2008 elections, and even beyond.”