‘You go chop big ex-gratia’ …Ameyaw-Akumfi tells NPP leaders

Finally, a solution has been proposed to the widespread bitter complaints of “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop” from workers and executive officers of political parties as Prof. Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, who is lacing boots to become National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has promised to institutionalize the payment of ex‐gratia or golden handshakes to party leaders after their tenure in office.

Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi, a former Minister for Education seems to have taken a cue from the Bible where it says in 1Timothy 5:18 that “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

“Those who work”, in this context is inclusive of those who work for political parties at different levels and Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi insists the welfare of such party workers shall be  a top priority to him if he is given the nod to become the NPP National Chair.

The Former Minister of Education said every human being, when given the requisite motivation to perform a task, does it with outstanding commitment and excellence to achieve the expected results and therefore if we expect party workers to achieve political victory, their motivation and welfare should be a key priority.

He explained: “The same way some people get ex-gratia for their work, we have to, in our own small way, do something for former executives. We mostly think it is not possible but it is possible.

“We mobilise funds for elections so the same way, we can and should mobilise funds to seek the welfare of members who serve the party.  If we have this welfare fund, we can use it for investments that will yield a lot of dividends for us as a party and we can do a lot for the party.”

Prof.  Ameyaw Akumfi made this known at a recent meeting he held with delegates of his party during which he reminded them of his three other key priorities he believes when implemented, would retain the NPP in government during the 2024 polls.

UNITY

“I have three objectives going into this election. The first is the party’s unity. Unity in the party is very important. We all know what happened in 2008. In 1979 I almost went to Parliament but I was beaten by one vote. I joined the person who beat me and we campaigned to win the seat. We could not form Parliament because there was a split.

“In the year 2008, after 17 people competed to be elected as flag-bearer of the party, we could not unite the party after the elections. In the year 2012 when we decided to unite, we almost won but for a few problems, we would have won and it ended up in court. In the year 2016 when everyone realized that we had been in opposition for long and needed to come back to power, we united and won massively; 169 seats and the President over a million votes. So if there is no unity, we will be severely affected,” he said.

Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi said he would work with each and every party member irrespective of the person’s leadership preference and he urged his audience to make a concerted effort to do same.

DISCIPLINE

“Secondly, I want to focus on instilling discipline in the political party. In this party, we have rules and regulations. We have Disciplinary Committees but we realize that indiscipline sometimes takes over in the party. If we have rules and regulations and we do not make it work it will be a worry. If members of the party will just wake up and insult party executives then that is a worry. There are rules and regulations and these laws must work. I will support you 150 percent when it comes to discipline.”

COMMITMENT

“Another reason why I want to be Chairman is to build a committed NPP. You say you want the NPP so in life and in death you should be for the NPP.  We should ask why the commitment in the party has dwindled. Some people have in the past sacrificed a lot for the party but have got nothing in return.

“The youth now want things at a faster pace. So if they do not get anything from the party after staying committed for two terms, they stop being committed to the party. There are some nothing can be done about. I’ve said that the private sector is what will provide jobs.

“There are people who have been committed to the course of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and have chased MASLOC loans for years but cannot get, meanwhile, others are getting and getting even huge sums, with such people, their commitment will dwindle.

“Same can be said about the security services. They will say they have given party members slots for admission, the same party members will wait to no avail for the said slots. These things make people start to have second thoughts about issues. Why will people remain committed if they do not benefit after years of commitment?” Prof.  posited.