Reject Top-Bottom Approach

We are concerned about the current issues bothering on the direction and
organization of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) towards the 2016 general
elections. Since NPP is an important stakeholder in the fourth republican
dispensation, its internal organization and management is of paramount
importance to Ghanaians and indeed the world at large. We the members of
the *DOMBO ADVOCACY FORUM*,* *an affiliate of the New Patriotic Party have
followed with keen interest the discourse on the direction of the party
just after the election petition and wish to make our voices heard by all
and sundry.

· We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire
membership of National Executive Committee (NEC) on the outcome of their
Thursday 3rd October 2013 meeting at the National Headquarters of the
party. In fact, we were all worried with the heated debates prior to the
meeting especially on a circulated proposal that sought to defeat the
very principles and values our great tradition hindered on. We acknowledge
the press release by the Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Abdulai Fuhlanda,
which was very explicit on the dismissal of some of the propositions
outlined in the said proposal; thus *the imposition of the sitting Members
of Parliament on constituencies and the extension of the mandate of the
current executives*, which are clearly against some provisions in the
party’s Constitution as amended in 2009.



· We have also heard and read from top party officers about
proposals to introduce a *Top-Down* approach in the election of party
officers, where we shall elect the flag bearer before the other officers of
the party. The Dombo Advocacy Forum wishes to plead with the National
Executive Committee (NEC) to reject such a proposal as it seeks to build
the party around individuals rather than the collective principles and
values established since 1947. This move is alien to the rank and file of
the party and will breed division. It has the potential of deepening
factionalism in the party and preventing party loyalists from coming on
board future campaigns.





· We are calling on our leadership to come out with guidelines for
the election of leaders from the polling station to the National level.
Clearly stipulated rules of engagement will eliminate bickering and
minimize factionalism in the party. We must promote an environment where
losers will be ready to come on board any campaign train.



· We take this opportunity to call on all blue party members to
cultivate the principle of sacrifice, as one of our founding Fathers *Simon
Diedong Dombo *a.k.a SD Dombo, exhibited during the formative stages of our
tradition where he willingly ceded power to *Dr. Kofi Busia* who was much
younger in parliament. We must win the 2016 general elections to restore
hope to the Ghanaian and improve their economic conditions as witnessed
during the Busia and Kufour era. This can only be achieved when party
faithfuls are prepared to sacrifice their personal interest for the
collective good of our party and country. Let’s all remain calm and
contribute to the organization of the party now from polling stations,
constituencies, regional and national. Dissenting views must be welcomed
and respected, and we call on the youth of our party to protect the
interest and image of our great party.



*NPP Shall Live! *

*God bless us all! *





*Signed by:*

*Amos Abu Daare Chairman
0244-903570*

*Prince Aminu Saana Press & Publicity Secretary
0243-423247*

*Alhassan Sulemana Operations Director
0268-533381*