Second Lady Samira Bawumia has appealed to members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to commit to a clean campaign as it prepares to elect a presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
She fears divisions that may arise at the end of the contest could jeopardise the party’s electoral fortunes.
Addressing members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) in the Ashanti region, Samira Bawumia whose husband is very likely to contest the flagbearership slot of the NPP, reminded aspirants and their assigns to be guided by past events as the party seeks to break the country’s eight-year political jinx.
“We know what is ahead of us, we know there is a battle coming ahead of us, it is an internal battle, let us carry ourselves with decorum, let us be respectful of each other. Let us also remember, that there is a war ahead of us, we don’t want to win the battle and lose the war, we want to win this battle and go on to win the 2024 war. Not a physical war, but an election which is consequential.
“President Kufuor left a wonderful legacy, but unfortunately with that legacy was a divided party, and because of that divided party, we lost the 2008 elections, because, instead of the time that we were to be on the grounds campaigning against our opponents, we were trying to convince our colleagues to come and join us to campaign for the elections.”
“We don’t want that to happen again, we want to go into 2024 a united party, a party that is clear in its mind, a party that selects a leader unanimously and with an overwhelming majority, so that we don’t have issues of division, we are all in the NPP camp and victory is what our target is”, she said.
NPP rewards hard work
The Second Lady also urged TESCON members to show commitment to the course of the NPP just as they had done in previous times.
She noted that the NPP rewards hard work and those who have the opportunity to serve in positions at TESCON should take advantage and offer good service to the party.
“I urge you to be guided by the many examples we have in the party of sacrifice and commitment knowing that you would also be rewarded when you serve well”, the wife of Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stated.
More heads to roll
The general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong who was at the event warned ministers and appointees in the Akufo-Addo administration to brace themselves for massive changes as the party seeks to retain power.
According to Frimpong, all government appointees are being assessed by the party and those who fall below average will be recommended for removal.
This contrasts sharply with President Akufo-Addo’s initial reaction to calls to reshuffle his team, insisting that most of them have met his expectations.
But Kodua said the reshuffle is aimed at ensuring the party has a winning and solid team for 2024 to break the eight-year political jinx.
“The party worked so hard in 2016 for us to win the election; therefore, we will also work hard to win in 2024. But at this point, if a minister, a CEO or an MMDCE is not committed to the task ahead just reshuffle or be reshuffled by the party.
“It is important that we remind ourselves that whichever position we are occupying, is not because of our qualifications but it is because the NPP is in power,” Kodua said.
“The party is doing an evaluation and assessment of all the appointees and once we are done with that we shall discuss it with the President for immediate action”, he added.
IRENE POMAA KUMI & JONATHAN OFORI
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