The Governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) has disclosed that they may suspend its parliamentary and presidential primaries. Speaking to the General Secretary of the party on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ program, John Boadu explained that as it stands now the party has not taken any decision to postpone the official date for the primaries.
“Our date for the primaries remains unchanged though the government has asked for social distancing.
“However, if it goes beyond our date for the parliamentary and presidential primaries we will have no option than to have the primaries postponed,” he said.
He added that aspirants have taken over social media to the campaign as the social distancing order is still in place and people are staying safe and observing safety measures. Aspirants can go about their campaign duties but until any further changes, the date for the primaries still remains unchanged.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has said the government is holding extensive consultations on the possible measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has planned to hold Parliamentary primaries in areas where it has sitting Members of Parliament (MP) on April 25, 2020. The NPP has I69 sitting Members of Parliament out of the total 275 seats in Parliament.
The party has already elected more than 95 Parliamentary candidates who would be contesting on its ticket in orphan constituencies [areas the party does not have sitting MPs].The same April 25, 2020 date would also be used to elect a flagbearer for the party for Election 2020. Nana Akufo-Addo said though a lockdown remains an option, extensive consultations will be made to ensure that the government takes the right decision.
Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, Nana Akufo-Addo said the government will consider all factors before a lockdown is announced.
“People in Ghana are now talking about a lockdown. The majority of people who will be affected by the decisions of that nature are the working people of our country. The ordinary people of Ghana. They are the ones who will be affected and it is important for us to take into account the circumstances and conditions. When we lock down Accra, what are the consequences?
“A responsible government is required to look at all the implications before decisions are made. And that is the exercise we are currently engaged in and I am hoping that much sooner than later we will come to an agreement on what those measures are and the Ghanaian people will be informed,” the President said.
