NPP –USA Congress in Dallas, Texas,

In a progress report to the Congress, this writer summed up the state of NPP – USA as upbeat, positive, vibrant and strong. In essence, this summation succinctly captured the mood of the Dallas Congress held on October 20, 2007.

On October 19, 2007 delegates from different states in continental USA , Canada and Britain arrived in Dallas for the Congress. That evening the host DFW chapter, in true spirit of Ghanaian hospitality organized welcome reception at the Marriot Courtyard for the attending delegates. The festive mood and the scene at the reception were like a pre Easter night at Obo in the Kwahu area of Ghana . Friends from afar and NPP family in North America and Europe were treated to an assortment of delicious Ghanaian cuisine in a buffet style. After the dinner, delegates chatted late into the night. By this time the delegates were made aware by Chairman Kofi Boateng that only two, Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo and Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong, out of the seventeen presidential aspirants invited have committed to come for the congress. Although the delegates were disappointed, the spirit of the congress remained buoyant.

On October 20, 2007, registration to the congress started early at 7:30 am with sumptuous breakfast to start the day. Mr. Charles Biney and his crew methodically registered each delegate. The congress was formally opened with prayers by Elder Asibey from California , followed by a beautiful rendition of both the national anthems of Ghana and the USA by Ms. Helena Rabbles. The DFW chapter chairman, Mr. Samuel Mensah welcomed the delegates to Dallas and the State of Texas . He recounted the history of the young chapter and the determined efforts made by the loyal members to host the congress.

The overseas branches were recognized. Canada sent delegates from Toronto and Montreal respectively. The chairman of NPP Britain and Ireland , Mr. Hayford Ata Kruffi was in attendance with the General Secretary of his branch. Each of the overseas branches gave inspiring solidarity messages.

Each of the twenty chapters that make up NPP-USA gave report of its activities. A delegate from the Worcester Massachusetts chapter, a young United States marine, and a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars expressed the determination of the youth to protect Ghana ’s democracy. Nana Owusu Ansah representing Chicago announced that the Chicago chapter will make donations to the International Desk on behalf of NPP-USA.

Six members of NPP – USA who aspire to contest Parliamentary seats in their areas in Ghana were introduced. They are Mr. Kwabena Manu (Pancho) (Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo), Mr. Benjamin Kwasi Afrifa (Sekyere West, Asante Mampong), Mr. Francis Asenso Boakye (Bantama), Ms. Catherine Abelema Afeku (Evalue Gwira, Nzema), Mr. Eric Fiifi-Ofori-Atta (Abuakwa South) and Mr. Eugene Yaw Boakye Antwi (Subin).

At this point the arrival of Hon. Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo Addo was announced. The congress hall erupted into cheers and shouts of Nana O, Nana O, as the first NPP Presidential Aspirant made his triumphant entry to the DFW congress 2007. Hon. Nana Akufo- addo was greeted with spontaneous euphoria that was a mixture of boisterous defiance of daunting circumstances that defines the spirit of Americanism; and a genuine appreciation for his attendance and admiration for him. He entered the conference hall surrounded by his close lieutenants, Charles Biney of DFW, Steve Mallory, the cool, unflappable and able national organizer of Friends of Nana Akufo- Addo (FONAA) in North America, Eric Fiifi Ofori Atta, the aspiring Parliamentary candidate and others.

Hon. Nana Akuffo-Addo autographed some of the commemorative brochures for the delegates. He spoke about his vision for Ghana , his leadership skills, his commitment to the party and his desire to unify the country if selected as the party’s presidential candidate for 2008. Nana also answered questions from the audience before he departed to Atlanta in the late afternoon.

An aspirant who is fast becoming a rising political star to members of NPP-USA is Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong. Honoring an invitation to the congress, just after his recent tour of the United States has endeared him to the hearts of many people in NPP-USA. Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong was evidently pleasantly surprised by the rousing reception he received at the congress. The shouts of Felix, Felix filled the hall as he entered the congress hall with his entourage led by Nana Ata Mensah, his campaign manager in the USA .

Hon. Adjepong took his seat and the skillful moderator of the morning session, Mr. Rex Poku called upon the “Iron Lady” of NPP in DFW, Ms. Christine McNair to introduce the Keynote speaker. This year’s speaker is one of the revered veterans of the Danquah/Busia/Dombo political tradition, Mr. Akenten Appiah Menka. Ms. McNair’s eloquent and spirited introduction of Mr. Appiah Menka brought delegates to their feet to give him a prolonged ovation. Mr. Appiah Menka’s speech to the congress is food for thought and strategies on how to win the 2008 elections. The veteran politician in his speech stressed that “the survival and success of the nation more than ever depend on the politics and the choices of the party and the nation between December 2007 and December 2008”. In a speech sprinkled with poignant facts and aphorisms, Mr. Appiah Menka laid emphasis on the realities in democratic pluralism and concluded on a positive note that with a “marketable candidate and the superior track record of our national achievements in the field of democratic multiparty political governance, the rule of law, control of corruption, stability and control of the microeconomic disturbances of the NDC inflation from 54% to less than 10%, the NDC bank interest rate of 48% to under 20% and the cedi rate of exchange which collapsed from C2,500 in March 2000 to C7,500 in November 2000 of the NDC administration to now four years stability of C9,200 under our government. The freedom of expression and the repeal of the NDC Criminal Libel Law, the development of the local industry and the establishment of the Export Development Fund, the EDIF, the Venture Capital, and the micro loan schemes to help develop small size industries, the ECOWAS Investment Fund. In Education the Capitation facilities and the school feeding program are all made available by the NPP administration to promote education in the country. The National Health Insurance Scheme, affordable Housing programs for the low income. The incomparable International respectability and finally the listening government which denounces “mo ka koraa na me ye no more” of the NDC era should be enough to make us win the 2008 Presidential and parliamentary elections”.

The agenda for this year’s congress was hectic but substantive. After Mr. Appiah Menka has mentally charged the delegates, there was a brief recess to ponder over the old sage’s words of wisdom. When the congress reconvened, Attorney Agyenim Boateng moderated discussion on proposed changes to the NPP-USA’s by laws. The congress adopted the by laws with substantial majority in favor. In the late afternoon, the delegates enjoyed a lively and spirited panel discussion on the topic “Improving Democracy in NPP and building constructive partnership between Ghanaians Living Abroad and Ghana” moderated by Mr. Benjamin Akwasi Afrifa. One of the panelists, Mr. Charles Amo Asante in a fiery and mater of fact manner brought it home to the congress how people in Ghana and in the Party think of those of us in the Diaspora. Dr. Afuah Sarkodie Mensah, a Harvard educated anthropologist, and the only woman on the panel, was at her best when she traced the role of women in politics from the time of the Pharos in ancient Egypt to the present day. Mr. Kofi Bawuah who was emotionally charged as he recounted his personal experience in the corridors of political power during his sojourn in Ghana , cautioned that any aspirant who discounts NPP-USA does so at his own risk. Lastly, Mr. Samuel Appiah gave a sober intellectual analysis of the subject under discussion.

At the end of the panel discussion, the lone delegate from the land of former President Obassanjo who could not hide his amusement, sat straight up, took a deep breath, sighed and said “na waa for NPP – USA”, taking a cue, the moderator moved for the congress to recess for the evening session.

The evening program began as scheduled in the plush banquet hall in Marriot hotel, Irving Texas. The event was destined to be great as Mr. Ben Newman, poised to challenge the record set by Mr. Rex Poku in the morning took over the mantle as the moderator. As Rapha’s band assembled its instruments, Nana Osei Owusu Asibey Bonsu, Asentefuohene of Dallas, and Nana Ama Afrah Acheampomaa, Ohemaa, resplendent in rich kente, adorned with exquisite ornaments walked majestically to the banquet hall to grace the occasion with the rich cultural tradition of Ghana .

With the help of modern technology, and thanks to Ms. Catherine Abelema Afeku, the aspiring Parliamentarian for Evalue Gwira; Hon. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation charmed the audience in the large banquet hall with her eloquence and beauty as she presented the achievements of the NPP government on a giant screen in the hall.

After the Minister’s presentation, the NPP – DFW chapter chairman, Mr. Samuel Mensah delivered his speech. In his speech he advised the aspirants to be civil to each other in their campaign. Ms. Stella Green, the chairperson for the occasion held the audience spell bound with her speech about the need for Ghanaian women to play active role in politics. Nana Taaka presented a proclamation on behalf of the Mayor of Irving, Texas, where the congress was held.

The highest ranking party executive at the congress, the Ist Vice Chairman, Ms. Agnes Okudzeto was introduced to the cheers of the audience. Mr. Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of NPP in his infinite wisdom sent a high ranking party executive, who is a mother figure, to represent the party at the congress. Ms. Okudzeto in a motherly fashion delivered her well prepared speech so effectively that assuaged the feelings of the delegates who were not happy about the events that made it difficult for many of the aspirants to attend the congress.

Hon. Felix Akwasi Owusu Adjepong had a perfect occasion after dinner to present his campaign message. Captioned “Civil, Customary and Digital”, Hon. Adjepong explained his vision for Ghana , his plans to transform Ghana and move her to middle income economy if he is selected to lead the party and eventually the nation. Hon. Adjepong stated his qualifications, the sacrifices he has made for the party, and said he is the one who can unite the party. Consistent with his customary doctrine, Hon. Adjepong said he is appealing to the kingmakers to give him the party’s flag.

After a delicious dinner and the speeches, the audience was ready to put on the dancing shoes. The Dallas based Rapha’s band was also getting anxious to play. The life band entertained the crowd till the wee hours of the morning.

The Dallas Congress 2007 is undoubtedly one of the best NPP-USA congresses ever held in North America as measured by the enthusiasm with which many chapters are vying to host the next congress. NPP-USA, like Boxer, the indefatigable work horse in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, resolved to work HARDER to ensure total victory for the party in 2008 because the alternative is clearly not in the best interest of mother Ghana .