Urgent call for action on National Council proposals – a step forward, but let’s not leave our grassroots behind – Kwabena Agyepong writes

Delegates of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) annual conference have received a heartfelt call from Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, the former general secretary of the party, to advocate for greater grassroots involvement in the party’s ongoing constitutional revisions.

Mr. Agyepong praised the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Council (NC) for mainly approving his reform ideas in a statement issued at 1:20 pm on Friday, June 20, 2025.

He did, however, voice concerns about the expanded electoral college’s exclusion of former electoral area coordinators and polling station executives.

“The polling station is the basic unit of political activity and represents the heart and soul of the party,” he stated.

“Expanding participation at the top while excluding the polling station executives – the true engine of our grassroots – cannot only be an oversight but a gross injustice.”

In addition to existing MMDCEs, Members of Parliament, Ministers, and Deputies, the National Council has approved a limited extension of the electoral college to include former national, regional, and constituency executives.

Although Agyepong hailed this action as a positive step, he contended that it lacks the inclusivity required to energize the party’s support base.

He cautioned that there is a risk of further discontent and alienation if the sacrifices made by grassroots supporters, many of whom have been party members since 1992, are not acknowledged.

He said that unless reforms are expanded, the current low morale at the polling station level could get worse.

“The decision to add a paltry two additional polling station executives undermines the spirit of unity we seek to build,” He asked who chooses the four additional electoral area delegates and the two additional polling station executives.

Agyepong called on party delegates and constituency executives to push for the electoral college structure to include all former ward and polling station executives as well as electoral area coordinators.

He thinks that doing so will encourage a true competition of ideas and vision while lessening the role of money in internal elections.

He called for the creation of a party that cherishes all of its members, from flagbearers to foot soldiers, as he wrapped up his appeal.: “Let’s build a party that recognises every hand that lifts a flag, every knuckle that knocks a door, and every voice that calls out for equity.”

Read the full statement below:

To: All Delegates attending the Annual Conference of the New Patriotic Party

Subject: Urgent Call for Action on National Council Proposals – A Step Forward, But Let’s not Leave our Grassroots Behind

Dear Patriots of our beloved New Patriotic Party, NPP

I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. I am extremely grateful to both the National Executive Committee NEC and the National Council NC for adopting almost entirely the constitutional  reforms proposed by my humble self. It is essential that we, as dedicated patriots of the NPP, fully comprehend and respond to this decision with a clarity of purpose.

The NC endorsed a limited expansion of our electoral college to include past National Executives, Regional executives, Constituency executives, MMDCEs, Members of Parliament, Ministers and Deputies among others.

While this represents a significant step forward, I must express my disquiet at the exclusion of past electoral area coordinators and polling station executives. The polling station is the basic unit of political activity and represents the heart and soul of the party. The polling station is where campaigns begin, where volunteerism is born, where our people give their all, often with little or no reward just for the love of party and country.

Expanding participation at the top while excluding the polling station executives – the true engine of our grassroots – cannot only be an oversight but a gross injustice.  Adding a paltry two more undermines the very spirit of inclusiveness and unity we seek to build.  We risk creating further tension and dissatisfaction among our already demoralized ranks. The current situation at the polling station level is very strained and this decision does not adequately address the challenges we face.

A more extensive and inclusive electoral college will drastically minimize monetary inducements and promote a true contest of ideas where the best vision carries the day not the deepest pockets.

I urge all patriots especially constituency executives to advocate for the inclusion of past ward/polling station executives and electoral area coordinators from the inception of the party in 1992 to date. Besides, who determines the two extra polling station executives and the additional four electoral area delegates?

We cannot afford any more manipulation and confusion.

Let’s build a party that recognizes every hand that lifts a flag, every knuckle that knocks a door and every voice that calls out for equity.

Humbly submitted 1.20pm Friday 20th June 2025

Yours Sincerely,

Ing Kwabena Agyei Agyepong KAA

SERVICE

SACRIFICE

SELFLESSNESS

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com