Stephen Sekyere-Abankwa
The National Planning Committee of the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) has directed all aspirants contesting the upcoming National Delegates Conference to remove all billboards they have mounted on principal streets of Accra.
However, the planning committee has permitted the candidates to mount billboards and other advertising at the venue of the elections and the party’s National Headquarters.
In a memorandum dated July 5, 2022, issued and signed by the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Stephen Sekyere-Abankwa stated that “all candidates in the upcoming elections are directed to remove immediately, all billboards erected along the principal streets of Accra, except those at the Party headquarters and at the venue of the conference, Accra Sports Stadium.”
The NPP is scheduled to host its National Delegates Conference in Accra from July 16 to July 17, 2022.
Prior to the memorandum, the National Planning Committee, in the statement cautions all contestants and their respective supporters “not to engage in a campaign of insults and/or name calling, but must rather conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum, as has been the trait of the NPP from time immemorial. Any display of opulence, , but not limited to, the mounting of billboards is seriously frowned upon and infringing aspirants will be punished accordingly.
“Aspirants are further cautioned to refrain from bastardizing the election process and the systems that have been put in place to ensure a fair and transparent elections”.
Any contestant with concerns is advised to contact the National Elections Committee through the Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, with their complaint, “which will be acted upon expeditiously in the interest of fairness and justice” the statement further reads.
The Committee However warned that “any aspirant who fails to channel their grievance through this means but rather resorts to denigrating and casting aspersions at the Party or any individual involved in the process within the media space will face disciplinary action in accordance with the Party’s Constitution as well as the Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of the upcoming elections”.
Over 6,000 delegates are expected to vote on Saturday 16 July 2022, to elect the NPP’s national officers for the positions of National Chairmanship, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Third Vice-Chair, General Secretary, National Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Treasurer, National Women’s Organiser and National Nasara Co-Ordinator.
By Vincent Kubi