Tread cautiously - Kofi Jumah warns NPP over party guidelines

Former Member of Parliament for Asokwa constituency and the Chief Executive Officer for GIHOC Distilleries Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah has asked the New Patriotic Party to tread cautiously with regards to the implementation of its new resolution.

According to him, "though the decision is good", the party needs to have a second look at it "so that it does not negatively affect members and the country at large".

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has resolved that all persons serving as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCEs) who are willing to contest as Parliamentary Candidates in the party must be resign before the general elections.

At a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday November 29, 2017 and addressed by the party's Acting General Secretary, Mr. John Boadu, the NPP stated that all the MMDCEs who wish to contest as Parliamentary Candidates in constituencies where the party has sitting MPs are not eligible to contest unless they resign from their current positions, at least three years before the ensuing national general elections.

"The National Council, which is the party's Second Highest decision making body pursuant to Article 9(b) of the party constitution has unanimously resolved that all persons serving as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who wish to contest as Parliamentary Candidates in constituencies where the party has sitting MPs, are not ELIGIBLE to contest unless they resign from their current positions at least three years before the ensuing general elections".

Mr. Boadu revealed that, the Council resolved that Regional Chairpersons, Regional Secretaries, Regional Treasurers, Constituency Chairpersons, Constituency Secretaries and Constituency Treasurer are not also eligible to contest in the party's parliamentary primaries in constituencies where the party's has sitting MPs hence unless they resign at least three years before the 'National General Elections'.

But speaking on Okay fm's "Ade Akye Abia" Programme, the former law maker and a member of the National Executive Committee indicated that as a party they need to dissect, interrogate and consult with some party officials on issues like this before seeing to its implementation.

"I believe what they are doing is in the best interest of the party but they need to take time...I also think the time duration is too much, what do you expect the person to be doing within that three (3) year period. We should consider certain things and reconsider the resolution," he stated rather candidly.