NPP cautions flag bearer aspirants

Accra, Oct. 2, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Tuesday cautioned the party's bevy of flag bearer aspirants to control their campaign officials or face sanctions for any inapt actions. "The party is increasingly getting worried about the campaign messages, press releases, negative and malicious interviews granted to media by individuals ascribed as spokespersons for the aspirants," Nana Ohene Ntow, NPP General Secretary, said in Accra.

"These acts have the tendency of ridiculing the party in the mind of right thinking Ghanaians and discredit our leading members....The national executives would not sit down unconcerned; we will hold the aspirants responsible for the actions of their spokesmen and spokeswomen," he said.

Nana Ohene Ntow was speaking during the filling of nomination papers and payment of 25,000 Ghana cedis (250 million cedis) "earnest fees" by Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, an aspiring flag bearer.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang becomes the third aspirant out of about 20 who have so far filed their nominations to formally confirm their intention to contest the primaries of the party.

The others who have completed the process are Mr Alan Kyerematen and Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku.

The General Secretary said any aspirant, whose agents would fall foul of the rules, would face severe sanctions, including disqualification.

He said no official of the party at any level would be allowed to campaign for any candidate.

Concerns have been expressed in party circles about the trend of the campaign, which is looking negative. Mr Owusu-Agyemang affirmed his commitment to the Danquah/Busia tradition and determination to ensure that NPP handed over to itself in January 2009.

The former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, flooded the party headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra with vociferous supporters transported in scores of cars and buses accompanied by a brass band and traditional drummers.

According to the party's procedures and requirements for filing nominations, "every member of the party who seeks the party's nomination as the flag bearer for Elections 2008, shall submit a hand written application to the General Secretary outlining his or her reasons for seeking the slot."

The aspirant is required to provide a curriculum vitae, a statement explaining any time spent in police custody, detention, exile or prison. He or she should also provide evidence of constitutional qualification for the nomination in the form of a photocopy of voter's identity card, birth certificate and statutory declaration in terms of the 1992 Constitution.

The aspirant should provide evidence of qualification for the nomination in accordance to the party's constitution - membership card or certificate and evidence of being in good standing.

All applicants may pay in person or through their agents 25,000 Ghana cedis (250 million cedis) through bankers' draft payable to NPP as earnest money in support of the application.

According to Article 12 of the NPP Constitution, on election of presidential candidate, no member shall be entitled to nomination as the Party's presidential candidate unless he or she is a known and active member for at least five years.

Other requirements are: he or she is found to be qualified to be a presidential candidate by the vetting committee, has signed the undertaking for presidential aspirants and his/her nomination has been endorsed in writing by at least 100 members from each region.