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BREAK THE 8-YEAR RULE BY A POLITICAL PARTY IN GOVERNMENT

BREAK THE 8-YEAR RULE

BREAK THE 8-YEAR RULE : In 2024, Ghana would have had a combined thirty-two years of democratic governance between the two major political parties in the fourth republic. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) like the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would have each done sixteen years of two consecutive terms of an eight-year administration under various presidents.

Unlike the NDC that has provided three presidents in sixteen years, the NPP under Nana Addo in 2024 would have provided two presidents. As such, the electorates and constituents would have an inflection point to decide between the performance of NDC administrations (1993 to 2000 and 2009 to 2016) and NPP administrations (2001 to 2008 and 2017 to 2024). Consequently, 2024 is a focal point for NPP to break the eight- year rule by any political party, thus, setting a record of a 12-year NPP administration culminating in a combined twenty years of political power in the Fourth Republic.

This is a feat that would be the first of its kind, and unique to any political party in our history as a country. But until that is done and given the historical trend, it is natural for any political observer to forecast a defeat for an NPP administration in the 2024 Presidential General Election.

However, the NPP can set the record of breaking the eight-year rule by handing over power to itself to continue the transformational agenda beyond 2024. The 2024 election is thus as important as the 2008, where NPP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo were surprisingly disappointed with an ‘avoidable’ defeat if the ruling NPP government and party machinery were careful with their politicking.

The “Break the 8” is not only a message on a flyer to share or mere talk but also an actionable message that requires intended efforts to achieve. In my humble opinion, these are some of the actions that would help the NPP government and party to retain power in 2024 and beyond:

The seventy percent (70%) achievement of promises is attainable, and the events surrounding COVID-19 should not be used as an excuse for failed achievements. Ghanaians will not forgive the government on their “promise and fail” policies in the 2024 general elections It must be noted that the ‘Break the 8’ starts on the day His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo was sworn-in as a President and the realization of “#4More2DoMore”. Ghanaians are looking onto the NPP and its leadership to continue with the governmental initiatives and move Ghana further in development.

The President should preserve his legacy and consolidate the gains for the eight years in power by ensuring smooth operations of the party structures and successful processes of electing the next Presidential and Parliamentary candidates for the 2024 general elections. It takes time, resources, and efforts to break the 8-year rule and keep transforming Ghana. The NPP should be reminded of the words of former President John A. Kufuor at the 2019 National Annual Delegates Conference. Kufuor warned, “We have had bitter lessons in the past to learn from on this score and we should not let this sad history repeat itself”.

To this end, any interested aspirant for the party leadership including flagbearership must have intents and goals in pursuing roles focused on fostering unity and retaining power in the 2024 elections. To the party grassroots and disenfranchised individuals/groups, it is time to forgive and let go of all grievances, embrace unity and work together to make history on ruling beyond eight (8) years consecutively a dream come true. As such, let us take inspirations and lessons from the 2008 Obama campaign slogan: YES, WE CAN! and an excerpt from the NPP anthem, “The Elephant is, Our Winning Symbol, we have won to save Ghana”!

By : EMMANUEL KWAME DARKO, NPP-USA Branch Treasurer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ghanaian American Journal. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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