Former Speaker of Parliament and founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof. Mike Oquaye, has addressed ongoing concerns within the party ahead of its presidential primary, stressing the importance of discipline, fairness, and adherence to established procedures.
Speaking in a recent interview, Prof. Oquaye noted that party committees and the Council of Elders are actively engaging members to draw attention to unacceptable behaviours. “The committees are busy calling people, drawing their attention to what is not acceptable,” he said, adding that much of the tension stems from supporters rather than the candidates themselves.
On the party’s recently signed peace pact, Prof. Oquaye clarified that it is not a legal contract but a moral commitment for candidates to act decently and respect the rules of the party. “We are all supposed to subscribe to the rules of the game. We are enjoined to be decent in our operations,” he said. He highlighted that leaving issues like law enforcement and electoral oversight to the relevant authorities is a key aspect of maintaining fairness.
Addressing allegations of vote buying, Prof. Oquaye condemned the practice, noting that it undermines democracy. He acknowledged that while such issues have occurred historically, the party has introduced measures to strengthen intra-party democracy, including the Intra-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and the use of sworn affidavits to regulate proxy voting.
Reflecting on broader political challenges, Prof. Oquaye admitted there is room for improvement in Ghana’s political culture. “We could have done better. Look at the vituperative nature of political discourse in this country. It’s not the best,” he said.
He also emphasised the role of party elders and disciplinary mechanisms in resolving conflicts quietly and effectively, citing examples from other democratic systems where judicial committees help manage disputes behind the scenes.
Concluding on a positive note, Prof. Oquaye expressed hope that the peace pact and ongoing disciplinary efforts would restore calm ahead of the January 31 NPP presidential primary. “This is a way of showing that the processes have been fair. All things being equal, you are part and parcel of this and you therefore subscribe to it that all is fair,” he said.
The comments come amid increasing scrutiny of the NPP’s internal processes as the party prepares to select its flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.