By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Aug. 24, GNA – Mr Richard Ahiagbah, the National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called for the party to return to its grassroots foundations, saying its structures must be empowered and actively involved in its day-to-day operations ahead of the 2028 general election.
Mr Ahiagbah, who is seeking the position of National First Vice Chairman of the party, said his decision to contest the position was driven by his desire to pursue reforms that would strengthen the NPP, deepen grassroots participation and improve its electoral fortunes.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said the NPP was established as a grassroots-based political organisation, but its operations had increasingly become centralised, with much of the party’s activities directed from Accra.
He said constituency, electoral area and polling station executives, who constituted the foundation of the party, must be empowered to take responsibility for its day-to-day administration, organisation and mobilisation.
“We must run the NPP as a grassroots party,” Mr Ahiagbah said, stressing that party executives should not become active only when general elections were approaching.
He said grassroots executives were often elected after internal party elections but were neglected until a few months to general elections, a practice which weakened the party’s structures and electoral preparedness.
Mr Ahiagbah said the newly elected regional executives must immediately begin working with constituency, electoral area, and polling station executives to strengthen the party and prepare adequately for the Election 2028.
He explained that his quest to become National First Vice Chairman was guided by a seven-point reform agenda contained in his leadership pledge, which he said would promote a more effective, disciplined and competitive party.
Mr Ahiagbah said his current position as the National Communications Director focused mainly on communicating and advocating the policies and positions of the party and did not provide him with sufficient opportunity to pursue broader organisational reforms.
Mr Ahiagbah said his interest in strengthening the NPP’s presence in the Volta Region was also a major motivation for seeking the position, noting that the party needed greater investment, organisation and sustained mobilisation to become more competitive in the region.
He said the NPP should not accept the notion that the Volta Region would remain permanently beyond its electoral reach, adding that a well-organised grassroots structure could improve the party’s fortunes.
On party unity, Mr Ahiagbah said discipline, fairness and equal treatment of members were critical to building a stronger and cohesive party.
He said members who did the right thing should be recognised, while those who violated party rules should be sanctioned, stressing that fairness and accountability would help restore confidence and discipline within the party.
Mr Ahiagbah said the NPP must also unite around a common vision of winning the 2028 general election and returning to power with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as President.
He said the party needed to effectively communicate what he described as the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration, particularly the economic performance recorded between 2017 and 2019.
Mr Ahiagbah said the average GDP growth of about seven per cent recorded during the period had subsequently been overshadowed by economic difficulties, which he attributed partly to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
He urged national, regional, constituency, and polling station executives to work closely with the party’s presidential candidate and other stakeholders towards the common objective of securing victory in the 2028 elections.
Mr Ahiagbah also appealed to delegates in the upcoming national executive elections to vote based on the competence, commitment and vision of candidates rather than inducements.
“Vote your conscience, vote for your interests, and do not be swayed by inducements,” he said, warning that while inducements might be temporary, the consequences of leadership choices could endure for years.
He expressed confidence that sustained grassroots mobilisation, discipline, fairness, adequate resourcing and a clear electoral strategy would help rebuild the NPP and position it strongly for the 2028 general election.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo