NPP affirmative action u-turn a cowardly retreat – Baako

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Created on Thursday, 02 April 2015 00:00

NPP affirmative action u-turn a cowardly retreat – Baako

Editor –in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Kweku Baako Jnr has described a recent decision by the National Council of the New Patriotic Party to rescind on its affirmative action policy as a cowardly exercise.

He said the reversion only goes to satisfy the selfish interest of a few individuals who have failed to acknowledge the benefits the party might derive from the policy.

“The Affirmative action has been sacrificed on the altar of self-interest, unbridled personal ambition and male chauvinism”, Mr Baako noted on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’.

The NPP made the headlines last week after its National Executive Committee (NEC) announced a controversial decision to ban men from contesting the 16 incumbent women Members of Parliament.

They also sought to discourage non-indigenes from contesting in Ga communities in the Greater Accra Region.

Some members of the party threatened to sue the party if it does not rescind the decision.

Following the agitations the party on Wednesday summoned a crunch meeting to discuss issues raised by its members.

After the marathon meeting the party had to pull the brakes on the controversial policy.

The party's flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo said the party listened, met and decided to shelve the controversial policy – at least for some time.

He however added that the party firmly believes in the ideals of the policy describing it as a "firm step in getting the goal of equity for women" but indicated that they will proceed to institutionalise the policy in the next annual congress of the party.

But the veteran journalist Kweku Baako said the leaders of the NPP have allowed the threats of a few people in the party to scare them away from an important policy like the affirmative action.

“The u-turn represents a cowardly retreat under the cover of a listening leadership”, he said.

Kweku Baako who is obviously not in favour of the decision said political expediency and electoral calculations have been allowed to overwhelm the principle of the affirmative action.

“The commitment of those whose self-interest and ambition drove the agitations against the affirmative action policy is suspect”, he noted.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Organiser of the party Sammy Awuku says he disagrees with Mr Baako’s comments.

He said it was inappropriate for Kweku Baako to say that the party has rescinded its decision only to satisfy the selfish interests of a few people in the party.

According to him, the National Council only decided to reverse the policy after feedback from representatives in all 10 regions of the country revealed that members were not in favour of it.

How can you say that a body of over 120 people on the council was only persuaded by insignificant demonstrations? Mr Awuku quizzed, adding the council members received feedback from the wider majority of the rank and file.

The reversion is only to allow the party prepare the mindsets of its members across board to ensure that a more comprehensive roadmap is drawn before it is implemented.

Source:Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.