An important NPP Constitutional Amendment Proposal that was not carried.

One of the best NPP Constitutional Amendment Proposal that was not carried was the provision on Party-Government Relations. The provision which came from the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat of the NPP was meant to ensure a better NPP party-government relationship when the party is in power. It would have been the best thing to happen to the party.

The NPP rank and file believe that institutionalizing the process of selection people for appointment by an NPP president will ensure the following, among other things: Help define a supreme interest, reduce sycophancy, avoid personality worship, motivate members, get members to rise above personalities and unite in purpose, redistribute resources, both human and financial, to the constituencies and the polling stations, ensure year round activities and a massive win in 20012 and beyond.

The NPP party recognizes that, under the national constitution, it is the President's prerogative to appoint. The proposal did not seek to usurp the President’s prerogative or tie his hands, but only to set forth a consultative framework between the NPP party and the NPP Government to ensure an equitable and fair distribution of well qualified people to political positions when the party is in power.

Proposal:

When an NPP Flag bearer or running mate is subsequently elected as President, he or she shall appoint the following positions in close consultation with the National Executive Committee, who shall be required to clear the political appointees among them with their respective constituencies (Working closely with the relevant polling station(s) and Regional Executive Committee).

1. All nominees for Ministerial positions

2. All government allocated director or similar positions on corporate boards with government shareholding and/or State Enterprise Corporations; Chief Executive Officer or similar positions in corporations. For the voidance of doubt, such representation shall be on each such Corporate Board or State Enterprise Corporation;

3. All Ambassadorial positions.

The NPP Constituency and Regional parties may from time to time recommend known and active members of the party in the constituencies and the region to the National Executive Committee for consideration as government officials to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of ministerial. Ambassadorial and Corporate Board Appointments.

The Flag bearer shall accept the recommendations of the NPP Constituencies to appoint and remove officials from the following positions:

4. 100% of all District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executive Positions. The recommendations for DCES and MCES shall be based on selections by the Constit0uency Executive Committees, in the assembly with their respective polling station executives of the relevant constituencies, and in close consultation with their regional steering committee;

5. 100% of all Regional Ministerial Positions. The recommendations for Regional Ministerial positions shall be based on selection by relevant Regional executive committees.

It is simply unfortunate this provision did not see the light of the day.