NPP has to take issues raised by Alan, others seriously – Prof Mensah

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been encouraged by a political marketing consultant to address the issues brought up by Alan Kyerematen and other flagbearer candidates both before and after the super delegates meeting.

The former Trade and Industry Minister had already declared his intention to withdraw from the contest.

Professor Kobby Mensah indicated on PM Express on JoyNews that the problems brought up, such as the reported violent attack on certain individuals and concerns about the election process, might jeopardize the party’s upcoming primaries.

“This is not the first time he (Alan Kyerematen) has highlighted the persecution of his members being one of the reasons why he is trying to stay out of the race. In 2007 he highlighted that the party should take measures to address the intimidation of his supporters, of course, he has highlighted the same thing.”

“He has highlighted a number of issues which I think actually undermine the electoral processes put forth by the party. He is not the only person who has highlighted this. What led to the outburst of Kennedy Agyapong can be linked to this issue, Boakye Agyarko and other people had complained. So, I think that it is a serious issue that the party has to address because it sort of legitimizes the November process,” Prof Mensah said.

He claimed that the party that addressed the problem and settled the disputes may provide legitimacy to the anticipated November presidential primaries.

“When we talk about procedural democracy, we are looking at not only participation but representation of all quarters. We are also looking at the perceived credibility of the procedure. I am sure the party leadership, especially for a party that prides itself as a democratic party, will take some serious look at this particular issue and perhaps will take some proceedings to address it.”

“I think they should have actually done that when they set up a committee to look at the aftermath of the super delegates conference,” Prof Mensah added.

On Tuesday night, Alan Kyerematen declared his decision to drop out of the running to be the NPP’s flagbearer, citing a number of factors.

He gave several reasons for his choice, including intimidation, violence against a member of his campaign staff, and the way the party allegedly planned the super delegates meeting to favor one candidate over the others.

Mr. Kyerematen claimed that statements made by several influential party members both before and after the elections support his findings.

“After having carefully analyzed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant.”

“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of our Party,” parts of the statement read.