[ 2014-12-21 ]

NDC expunges Propaganda office from constitution
Delegates to the 8th National Delegates’
Congress of the governing NDC have voted to remove
the office of Propaganda Secretary from the
party’s constitution.

The Propaganda Secretariat will now be replaced
with a National Communications Directorate.

The National Democratic Congregation (NDC) was the
only political party in the country with an office
for Propaganda manned by a National Propaganda
Secretary supported by regional and constituency
propaganda secretaries.

This was heavily criticized by opposition
political elements and pro-democracy organizations
who said the institutionalization of Propaganda by
the NDC amounted to formalizing lying and
spin-doctoring in the nation’s politics.

In an apparent response to the criticism, the
governing party tabled a motion to amend the
constitution, remove the Propaganda Secretary
position and replace it with a Communications
Directorate as the New Patriotic Party currently
has. Delegates endorsed the motion.

The delegates also voted to expand the NDC’s
delegates’ list. The list of delegates who vote
to elect party leaders in the NDC is around 3,600,
a figure criticized as too narrow for a mass-based
party.

Opponent of the governing party, NPP, has a
broader delegates’ list of over 144,000 who vote
from polling stations across the country to elect
party leaders and the flagbearer.

Before today, leaders of the NDC had always
scoffed at suggestions that they should follow the
example of the NPP and expand its delegates’
list.

General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has said
previously that the peculiarities of the NPP that
necessitated the expansion of the delegates’
list did not exist in the NDC.

It appears things have changed now. The delegates
of the party have voted to expand the list.

A committee will now be formed to fashion out the
modalities to do the expansion, Employment and
Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu announced
at the congress grounds.

Over 70 aspirants are jostling for the votes of
delegates for 15 positions in the governing
party.

The Chairmanship, Vice-Chairmanship, National
Organiser and Deputy General Secretary positions
are the most hotly contested.

Incumbent Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei is facing
competition from one of his deputies – Kofi
Portuphy – and former Trade Minister, Dan
Abodakpi.

Another of his contenders, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya for
as yet undisclosed reasons, stepped out of the
race.

A former deputy General Secretary, Kofi Adams is
in poll positions to snatch the National Organiser
position from incumbent, Yaw Boateng Gyan.

Seventeen candidates, including former
Attorney-General Betty Mould Iddrisu, football
administrator, Harry Zakour, Lee Ocran, Anita
Desosoo, Alhaji Said Sinare, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo
amongst others are fighting for six
Vice-Chairmanship slots.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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