The newly elected national executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday held its first Steering Committee meeting in Accra.
The meeting, which took place at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down, brought together all the newly elected national executive members.
The National executive consist of Mr Paul Afoko, National Chairman, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, General Secretary, Mr Freddie Blay, 1st National Vice Chairman; Mr Sammy Crabbe, 2nd National Vice Chairman and Mr F. F. Antoh, 3rd National Vice Chairman.
The rest are Mr John Boadu, National Organiser; Ms Afisa Otiko Djaba, National Women’s Organiser; Mr Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah, National Treasurer and Mr Kamal Deen, National Nasara Coordinator.
The meeting was to discuss measures to be put in place by the executive to strengthen the party to recapture power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2016 elections.
It was also used for the official handing over of the administration of the NPP from the past executive to the new one.
NPP to strategise
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the First National Vice-Chairman of the party, Mr Freddie Blay, said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues and devise strategies to win the 2016 elections.
“We are purposely here today with our Chairman, Mr Afoko, and other executive members to discuss possible ways of strengthening the party ahead of the 2016 elections. The occasion will also provide a platform for our old executive to hand over to the new executive,” he said.
Mr Blay said after a successful delegates conference in Tamale, the leadership of the NPP thought it wise to mobilise all the executive members of the party to deliberate on how best the party could win power from the NDC.
According to him, the meeting was also to discuss how best the new and the old executive could join their resources and strength ahead of the 2016 elections.
NPP still strong
Mr Blay said the party remained strong and focused, in spite of “media reports” that sought to suggest otherwise, adding that the NPP would not relent in its efforts until it won the 2016 elections.
“I have always said that there is nothing wrong with the party but for the perception that the party is divided. I can tell you for a fact that since the new executive was elected, it has been in constant conversation with the old executive to chart a formidable way to recapture power,” he said.
Mr Blay observed that both the new and the old executive would continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure that the NPP attained power in 2016.
According to him, Ghanaians were tired of the NDC and “are waiting impatiently to vote it out in the 2016 elections”.
“Ghanaians know that the NPP has the answer to the numerous economic challenges bedevilling the country and they will stop at nothing until they see the party in power,” he added.
Party unity
He reiterated the need for members of the party to continue to work together and shun negative attitudes that could pose a threat to the future ambitions of the party.
Mr Blay said the current executive “is aware of what is at stake” and would do anything to ensure that the party prepared adequately for election 2016.
He, therefore, called on NPP supporters to rally behind the leadership of the party and work with them towards winning of the 2016 elections.
