Examining the NPP Special Delegates Conference against the “Danquah-Dombo-Busia” Tradition and Matters Arising

By Nana Sifa Twum

One political party in Ghana, that believes in traditions and this arguably has worked for them, is the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The tables have dramatically turned perhaps, against the system favorites. For instance, one of its prominent and cherished traditions over the years has been the “Danquah-Dombo-Busia.” This tradition may be the oldest surviving political tradition in Ghana today, and it dates as far back as 1947, before Ghana attained independence. It emanates from the role its main leading figures played in establishing the party’s ideologies and objectives.

Dr. Joseph Boakye Dankwa, also known as J. B. Dankwa, who was the founder of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, a former Prime Minister of Ghana, and Simon Diedong Dombo, a former Member of Parliament for Jirapa-Lambussie District in the first Parliament of the first and second Republic of Ghana are described as stalwarts of the NPP. These revered Ghanaian politicians have their names associated with the NPP. The party has therefore claimed the Danquah-Busia-Dombo mantle in the Fourth Republic. Certain times, this comes into very sharp focus as a consideration during the party’s leadership elections.

Part of the consideration is that some party members look at the original birthplaces of these giants in the party as leadership plugging points. J. B. Dankwa, hailing from Kyebi, is considered to be from the southern part of the country, with Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia from Wenchi in the Bono Region considered to come from the middle belt, while Simon Diedong Dombo, from Jirapa, is placed in the northern sector of the country. The argument is that there have been three Ghanaian Presidents from this established tradition, coming from two of these sections of the country: Kofi Abrefa Busia and John Agyekum Kufour from the middle belt, with Nana Akufo-Addo coming from the southern section of the country.

What is left now is the northern sector, which has not seen any member of the tradition leading the party, let alone becoming a President of the land. So whose turn is it? To many party folks and some Ghanaians, this might be the considerable reason the sitting Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has to lead the NPP this time if the “Aduru Me So,” literally meaning, “it is my turn” mantra is anything to go by, besides experience and competence. In fact, things are changing, per the results of the special delegates conference held by the party over the weekend.

It has turned because, over the years, all those who chalked up the second position in the primaries took over from the candidate who had the majority of the votes in the previous primaries. Since 1992, only the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten have contested NPP presidential primaries for four straight times. Nana Akufo-Addo won the national presidential slot on the fourth occasion. If this is anything to go by, then it is believed that Mr. Kyeremanten was going to win the primaries held over the weekend or the one to be held on 4th November this year and subsequently the national elections.

History has it that at the party’s congress to select a Presidential candidate in 1993, former President Kufour won by 1,256 votes, representing 64.60 percent, and Nana Akufo-Addo, 628 votes. So, about half of the total votes were won by Ex-President Kufour. In all subsequent primaries, the trend has remained with former President Kufour leading and followed by the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo. Then in 2014, Nana Akufo-Addo, Alan Kyeremanten, and Francis Addai Nimoh contested after Kofi Osei Ameyaw and Joe Ghartey had withdrawn from the race. However, the battle appeared to be already over, with popular support continuing to build behind Nana Akufo-Addo, who had represented the NPP in the last two previous national elections for the presidency.

This time round, ten candidates came out to contest the NPP presidential primaries. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremanten, Joe Ghartey, Kwadwo Poku, and Afriyie Akoto. The rest were Kwabena Adjei Agyapong, Addai-Nimoh, Kofi Konadu Apraku, Boakye Agyarko, and Mahamudu Bawumia. According to Article 13(9) of the NPP constitution, “Where there are more than five contestants for nomination as the party’s presidential candidates, a Special Electoral College shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five contestants to be shortlisted.” A total of 956 delegates, made up of all senior members of the party, were expected to vote last Saturday, the 26th of August, 2023, to shortlist the five.

At the end of the day, Dr. Bawumia pulled 629 votes, representing 68.15 percent of the total votes cast. Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, came in second with 132 votes, thus 14.30 percent, while Mr. Kyeremanten placed third with 95 votes, 10.29 percent. Dr. Bawumia could not secure the 95 percent votes that his campaign team espoused. By and large, great efforts were made, considering the fact that it was his very first time in such a race. Apart from himself and the first runner-up, Mr. Agyapong, almost all other candidates have contested NPP presidential primaries before.

The next hurdle is the 4th November elections, which will cover a larger electoral college than that of the special delegates conference held last Saturday. Party faithful believe that the NPP is structured and that what happened last Saturday is a precursor of what will happen on November 4, and nothing will change it. “Whoever won the 26th August elections is the one who will win on November 4.” If this prediction happens or comes to pass, then there will be a diametrical change in the norms and no one will have a bragging right as to “it is my turn” or “whose turn it is.” May the best candidate win. We wish the NPP well and the very best in all future endeavors.

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