Kumasi, Dec. 20, GNA – The proposed amendments to the constitution of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been hailed as forward-looking.
Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Chairman of the Party’s Constitution Review Committee, said these tied in with the party’s vision of deepening its internal democracy to sustain the party on the path of growth.
A total of 120 proposals for constitutional amendments from various interest groups and individuals were received and tabled for debate at the annual delegates conference of the party, held at the Heroes Park in Kumasi.
Among these is suggestion that when the party is in government and during the second term of the President, the presidential candidate should be elected 24 months ahead of the national general election.
This, according to the proponent, “will help cure the problem of inadequate time to heal wounds in situations where a new leader has to be elected to replace an outgoing leader as happened in year 2008.
It will also help avoid distraction in government business owing to partisan affiliation and solidarity to one prospective presidential candidate or another ahead of the primaries.”
Some of the other amendment proposals also involve the disqualification, the duties and suspension of a member, the inclusion of past Presidents and Vice-Presidents as well as past Vice-Chairpersons in the list of the National Council of Elders, the creation of a special organ to be named, ‘National Disability and Aged Wing’, and the appointment of a National Coordinator who shall be a member of the National Executive Committee.
There is also a proposal that the election of the Leader, the Deputy Leader, the Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whips of the Parliamentary Group “shall be done by the National Council at its first meeting, which shall be held within two weeks after the declaration of the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who is the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, said the proposals were being considered for the necessary actions to be taken.
GNA