The New Patriotic Party (NPP) of Ghana has found itself at the center of controversy following the election of Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, as its First National Vice Chairman. Bamba emerged victorious at the NPP's National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on October 3, securing 3,116 votes to beat 12 other contenders. However, his election has raised questions about his eligibility to hold the position due to his past conviction.
According to Bernard Bediako Baidoo, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, the NPP's constitution contains specific provisions regarding the eligibility of members to contest and hold positions within the party. Baidoo expressed shock that the party seemingly overlooked these provisions when clearing Bamba to contest. He pointed to Article Three of the NPP's Constitution, which discusses eligibility to hold office within the party, suggesting that Bamba's status as a convict should have been a disqualifying factor.
Kojo Bamba's past came under scrutiny due to his involvement with the Delta Force, a pro-NPP vigilante group known for its activities in the Ashanti Region following the party's 2016 election victory. In April 2017, Bamba and 12 other members of the group pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody after being freed from a Kumasi Circuit Court by supporters. They were each fined GH¢2,400 and ordered to sign a six-month bond of good behaviour.
The Akwatia MP, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, argued that Bamba's conviction should have barred him from contesting the NPP's vice chairman position. The NPP constitution states that a member may be disqualified from holding office or contesting a party election if convicted or sentenced for certain offences, including those involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude, as well as offences punishable by death or a sentence of at least 10 years.
However, not everyone agrees that Bamba's conviction automatically disqualifies him from holding the position. Mike Ocquaye Jr, the 2024 NPP parliamentary candidate for Dome Kwabenya, appeared on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana, where he argued that the offence for which Bamba was convicted was a misdemeanor and did not fall within the categories of offences that automatically bar a person from contesting a party position.
The discussion on the implications of Bamba's conviction and whether it constitutes a disqualification according to the NPP's constitution has sparked a broader debate about the party's internal processes and the vetting of its candidates. The NPP's decision to elect Bamba despite his past conviction has raised questions about the party's commitment to upholding its own constitutional provisions.
As the NPP moves forward with its new leadership, the party will likely face continued scrutiny over its handling of Bamba's candidacy. The controversy surrounding his election highlights the challenges political parties face in balancing internal democracy with the need to present candidates who meet certain standards of integrity and eligibility.
Key points
- NPP's election of Kojo Bamba as First National Vice Chairman has sparked controversy due to his past conviction.
- The NPP's constitution outlines specific provisions for eligibility to hold office, which some argue Bamba's conviction violates.
- The party faces scrutiny over its vetting process and commitment to upholding its constitutional provisions.
