The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a ban on all political activities associated with the impending parliamentary and presidential primaries.
The National Steering Committee of the party at a meeting on December 9, 2021 also banned the display of paraphernalia and advocacy for individual aspirants at the upcoming National Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi.
The move is line with Article 10 (10) (1) of the NPP Constitution and in furtherance of the Code of Conduct under Article 18 to regulate and guide activities of members prior to the opening of nominations.
NPP Director of Communication, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, in a statement indicated further that no T-shirts, flyers, brochures, and or souvenirs, branded and or embossed with the portraits and names of individuals will be allowed within the precincts of the Conference, including but not limited to places of accommodation for delegates.
“Any person, with or without their consent, whose image is flaunted on any advocacy material and who does not take active steps to desist from any public displays of aspiration for position within the precincts of Greater Kumasi, runs a higher risk of disqualification in the event nominations are declared opened.
“The 2021 National Annual Delegates Conference is a time of renewal for the Party. Though we cherish the Party tradition of democratic competition, we believe well-meaning aspirants will appreciate the need for such measures, which are necessary to enable a clear focus on the aims of the Conference,” he said.
Mr Buaben Asamoa explained the true spirit behind the Conference is to enhance Party unity and work closely with Ghanaians as the state recover from Covid-19 and rebuild the economy in new ways to feed into a future of shared growth.
The Party, he said, will also be focused on dealing with constitutional amendments proposed by members.
The NPP Communications Director disclosed that the Conference represents the end of a five-month long, but fruitful process that started in August 2021 under strict Covid-19 protocols.
“275 Constituency Annual Delegates Conferences and 16 Regional Annual Delegates Conferences have been held, bringing together nearly 300,000 people, a feat unequalled in this era of Covid-19,” he added.
Vaccination policy
The party has also instituted a vaccination policy for the National Conference in response to enhanced protocols due to the fourth wave of Covid-19.
Attendees are therefore advised to take jabs of vaccine immediately wherever they may find themselves.
The Party requested the Ghana Health Service to publish a list of places where shots of vaccine can be received in order for Party members to take jabs before the Conference date.
Medical personnel will also be stationed at the Conference venue to support compliance with the Protocols.
All members who will participate in the conference activities are cautioned to carry their vaccination cards with them.
