The NPP Cannot Defend Democracy Outside While Ignoring It Within

 

The Constitution of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is clear on the place and purpose of the Youth Wing.

Article 15(2) states that the National Youth Wing is a Special Organ within the Party, which promotes the policies and programmes of the Party among the youth. It further defines “Youth” as a member who has not attained the age of forty (40) years.

This provision, in my view, raises a fundamental question about eligibility for positions within the Youth Wing, particularly the position of Regional Youth Organiser. If the Party's own Constitution defines who qualifies as a “Youth,” then shouldn't that constitutional definition be respected when determining who is eligible to contest for a Youth Organiser position?

At a time when the NPP is strongly advocating for democracy, constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for democratic institutions, one would expect the Party to demonstrate those same principles within its own internal structures.

This therefore brings me to a number of important questions:

Why is the NPP leadership not listening to members of its own Youth Wing who are drawing attention to Article 15 of the Party's Constitution?

Why would the Party proceed with a Regional Youth election when questions concerning the constitutional eligibility of candidates have been raised?

And more importantly, why is the NPP leadership in the Savannah Region seemingly unwilling to allow the court process concerning the matter to run its course?

These are not questions that should be dismissed as an attempt to undermine the Party. They are legitimate questions about constitutionalism, internal democracy and accountability within a political party that seeks to govern a democratic country.

The NPP cannot consistently accuse another government of undermining democracy while remaining silent when members raise concerns about the observance of the Party's own Constitution.

Democracy must not only be defended when it is convenient. Democracy must also be practised within our political parties.

If the Constitution says one thing, the Party leadership must either follow it or provide a clear, convincing and constitutionally grounded explanation as to why it does not apply in a particular circumstance.

The members of the NPP, especially its youth, deserve to be heard.

They deserve transparency.

They deserve fairness.

And above all, they deserve a Party that respects the Constitution it has adopted.

So the question remains:

If the NPP is committed to defending democracy in Ghana, who will defend democracy within the NPP?

Is democracy in the NPP under attack or is the Party leadership prepared to prove otherwise by respecting its Constitution and allowing due process to take its course?