NPP losing more seats in 2024 Elections: Selecting parliamentary candidates should be based on competence, not the highest bidder – Lawyer Anthony Mmieh, MP-elect, Odotobri constituency
Lawyer Anthony Mmieh, the MP-elect for Odotobri Constituency, addressing the issues affecting the NPP’s ability to maintain its parliamentary dominance said the party’s candidate selection process must be overhauled to prioritize competence over financial capability, warning that relying on the “highest bidder” system could lead to even greater losses in the upcoming elections.
The NPP has traditionally been a dominant force in Ghanaian politics, with strong representation in parliament. However, after the 2024 elections, the party lost a significant number of seats in parliament.
The growing frustration among party members, especially at the grassroots level, has brought issues of candidate selection to the forefront. In recent years, the process has been criticized for being influenced by financial power rather than the actual ability of candidates to represent their people effectively. This has led to the rise of candidates who may be wealthy but lack the necessary experience, integrity, or competence to serve the needs of their constituents.
Lawyer Anthony Mmieh, who was recently elected as a Member of Parliament for the Odotobri Constituency, has been a vocal critic of the current approach to selecting parliamentary candidates within the NPP.
Speaking on Kessben FM’s Makye with Kwabena Owusu Dankwah, Lawyer Mmieh emphasized that political success hinges not on the financial strength of candidates but on their capacity to deliver real value to the people they intend to represent.
“The selection of parliamentary candidates should not be about the highest bidder,” Mmieh remarked. “It should be about the competence, experience, and ability to serve the people. We need candidates who understand the issues facing our constituencies and have a proven track record of addressing them.”
He went on to stress that voters are increasingly disillusioned with the political establishment, which they perceive as being more concerned with wealth and personal gain than with addressing the needs of the average Ghanaian citizen. For Mmieh, this dynamic poses a serious threat to the NPP’s future success, as it undermines trust in the party and reduces the likelihood of victory in the upcoming elections.
One of the most pressing issues, according to Mmieh, is the increasing trend of wealthy individuals buying their way into political positions. In some constituencies, the process of selecting candidates has devolved into an auction where financial power dictates who gets the party’s nod, leaving more qualified but less wealthy individuals at a disadvantage.
This trend not only compromises the integrity of the party’s candidate selection process but also places the NPP at risk of alienating its base, particularly in the face of a growing middle class that is less tolerant of political elites who prioritize personal enrichment over the welfare of the people.
A successful reform would also require better vetting processes, the creation of clear criteria for candidate selection, and greater engagement with constituencies to ensure that candidates are not only financially viable but also capable of delivering on the promises they make to voters. The NPP must ensure that the people chosen to represent them in parliament have the skills, vision, and commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous Ghana.
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