WHEREAS, we the members of NPP-USA having assembled in Dallas, Texas, USA for our Congress on Saturday, October 20, 2007; And
Deeply disturbed by the consistent pattern of exhibited disregard for the interests of the USA Branch of NPP by some sections of its mother Party, Officers and Presidential Aspirants;
Sadly regretting the pattern of systemic neglect consistently accorded to our interests by some of our party officials and others in Ghana due to lack of voting power in Ghana's elections by Ghanaians Living Abroad; and at NPP party's Congresses in Ghana in any significant way by NPP Overseas Branches as the basis of this disparate treatment.
However noting with appreciation, the presence at the 2007 Congress of - Hon. Nana Akufo Addo and Hon. Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong, in spite of open invitations sent to the other 17 presidential aspirants; delegates from NPP-USA Chapters from 20 states in the USA; representatives from Greater Accra NPP Constituency; representative of NPP Chairman Mac Manu( Mrs. Agnes Okudjeto- First Deputy Vice Chairperson); video message delivered by Hon Minister Ms. Oboshie Sai-Coffie; and keynote address delivered in person by NPP stalwart Mr. Akenten Appiah Menka; and additional representation from NPP branches in the United Kingdom and Canada
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 2007 CONGRESS that:
- The number of delegates allocated to duly qualified Overseas Branches be increased in the order of tenfold to be effective for the December 22, 2007 NPP National Congress in Ghana.
2 . The basis of determining the number of delegates allocated to Overseas Branches shall be clearly spelled out.
3. (The party supports us our efforts for) the Representation of the Peoples Amendment Act (ROPAA of 2006) to be implemented, even if on a pilot basis for the 2008 Presidential elections.
- That the New Patriotic Party as the ruling and leading political party in Ghana shall move towards an open primary system, in pursuance of improving its internal democracy, whereby all members in good standing shall vote. The NPP shall seek the assistance of the Electoral Commission in this exercise. To this end the Congress calls upon the NPP National Executive and Council (of Ghana) to set up an ad hoc constitutional drafting committee, to include among others representatives from overseas branches of the party, to amend or revise the provisions of the current NPP Constitution.
5. Recognizing the urgency for exerting consistent public pressure to make Ghanaians Living Abroad (GLAs) relevant to Ghana's political and economic lives, we as members of NPP-USA call upon ourselves to commit collective resources to advocate for the legal, political and social rights of GLAs , and to seek the cooperation of other Overseas Branches in this effort.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED:
October 20, 2007
Presented by: Dr. Agyenim Boateng
Assistant Attorney General
State of Kentucky, USA