Delegates of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have begun arriving in Kumasi from across the country for the party’s extraordinary National Delegates Conference.
They have been joined by supporters and sympathisers of the NPP, some of whom turned up in the Ashanti Regional capital as early as Saturday.
Clad in party attire, the Delegates took their seats at the Heroes Park, as they awaited the commencement of the event.
The event has also provided an opportunity for dozens of traders who have lined up the streets leading to the Park selling party paraphernalia.
The NPP deferred the amendment of its constitution to the extraordinary national delegates conference when it held its Annual National Delegates Conference in August.
Indications are that some members of the party have called for a review of the party’s electoral college system to ensure that the same number of delegates who vote for the party’s national executives, also vote for the selection of their presidential candidate.
Some NPP members have also reportedly called for a review of requirements for qualification to the constituency and regional executive position.
They want only persons who have gone through the ranks of the party at the local level, to be given the chance to vie for such positions.
Disagreement over amendments
Already, there have been a number of concerns raised over some of the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
For instance, the NPP-USA branch, this week, issued a strongly-worded statement accusing some persons in the party of hijacking the process.
No room for division
The Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has called on delegates to ensure that they resolve any lingering issues they might have before they leave the Conference.
Mr Blay said the NPP can take a step closer to retaining power in the 2020 general elections if the Conference is conducted in a peaceful manner.
“This is a family gathering; a meeting to see how best to ensure that our party is strong and formidable for future elections,” Mr Blay said.
