“There are a lot of loopholes in the NPP constitution and most leaders in our party are abusing them to their advantage. We have outlived the Constitution. Our delegate system is wrong” – Michael Osei Boateng Pope
Michael Osei Boateng Pope, former Youth Organizer and a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has raised serious concerns about the party’s constitution, accusing some leaders of exploiting loopholes for personal gain. Pope’s remarks, which are sure to stir debate within the party, suggest that the NPP’s governing framework is no longer fit for purpose and needs significant reforms. The issue of the delegate system, in particular, was singled out as a fundamental flaw that has allowed for undue influence and manipulation within the party.
According to Pope, the NPP’s constitution has several loopholes that allow for the manipulation of the system by those in positions of power. While the NPP is one of Ghana’s most influential political parties, Pope believes that its governance structure is outdated and has been exploited by certain leaders to consolidate their control. He argued that these constitutional gaps have contributed to the party’s internal struggles and have prevented it from achieving its full potential.
“There are a lot of loopholes in our constitution, and unfortunately, many leaders especially the lawyers within the party are abusing these weaknesses to their advantage,” Pope stated. “It’s a situation where the party’s structure is not serving its original purpose, and that has led to some of the challenges we are facing internally. We have outlived the constitution, and it’s time for serious reform to ensure that the NPP can truly thrive in the future.”
Pope’s concerns are not new to many who have observed the NPP’s internal dynamics over the years. There have been calls for constitutional amendments and restructuring, but Pope’s comments bring a more direct focus to the abuses that he claims have been taking place within the party.
One of the most critical issues Pope highlighted during his interview with Kwabena Owusu Dankwah on Kessben FM was the NPP’s delegate system. In many political parties, the delegate system allows party members to vote for leadership positions, but Pope argues that the NPP’s current system is deeply flawed. He suggests that the system is open to manipulation, where party leaders or powerful individuals can influence or even control the outcome of delegate elections by leveraging their positions.
According to Pope, the current delegate system encourages factions within the party, with leaders using their influence to secure support from delegates in exchange for promises of power, resources, or political favors. This, he argues, undermines the democratic process within the party and leads to divisions that ultimately weaken the NPP as a whole.
Pope’s critique of the NPP’s constitutional and delegate system is closely tied to concerns about internal unity and leadership effectiveness. The NPP, like many political parties, has experienced internal divisions over the years, with factions vying for control. Pope believes that the flaws in the party’s structure are a contributing factor to these divisions, making it harder for the NPP to present a united front to the electorate.
For Pope, the future of the NPP depends on addressing these internal issues. He is calling for a comprehensive review of the party’s constitution, particularly the delegate system, to ensure that it reflects the true will of the members and encourages fair competition for leadership roles. The changes, according to Pope, would allow the party to better serve its members, improve its governance, and present a more cohesive and effective leadership to the country.
Pope’s remarks have struck a chord with many within the NPP who have long felt that the party’s internal structures need to be overhauled. As Ghana approaches another election cycle, the debate over the party’s constitution and internal processes is likely to intensify. There is a growing recognition that political parties, including the NPP, need to adapt to the changing dynamics of Ghanaian politics, with a more transparent and democratic approach to leadership selection.
For many NPP members, Pope’s call for reform represents a much-needed opportunity to address the party’s internal challenges head-on. By reviewing and revising the party’s constitution and delegate system, they hope to create a more open and accountable political environment that can restore confidence among members and the wider public.
