Edmond Gyebi
27 August 2008
Tamale — Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tamale who were used as polling station agents in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 elections, have accused the party leadership of neglecting them. According to the members, they are only recognized or become useful to the party leadership only when elections were approaching.
The despondent polling agents made this assertion in an interview with The Chronicle during the recent visit of the party's flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo to the north.
Their Spokesperson, Mr. Saddique Joe Lartey, a polling agent for the Gbewa
International School Electoral Area in the Tamale Central, said the regional and Constituency executives of the party had failed to build their skills and capacities to become economically independent.
He indicated that majority of the youth and the polling station agents had remained loyal and committed to the NPP, in spite of the neglect, because of their love for the party. Meanwhile, one major problem yet to be addressed by the NPP throughout Ghana is how to meet the needs and aspirations of its foot soldiers, who have since time immemorial complained bitterly about cynicism and lack of recognition by the leadership.
The foot soldiers have on several occasions accused their leadership of seeking their selfish interests, at the detriment of the youth who do the real work for the projection and sustainability of the NPP.
According to Mr. Joe Lartey, however, there had not been any significant improvement in the lives of the NPP foot soldiers since the party came to power, and that the few people who have some businesses have not received any meaningful support from the party,
saying "It is very disturbing for the members of the NDC to mock some of us because they have not seen any change in our lives, even though our party is in power".
Mr. Joe Lartey observed that it was likely that most of the polling agents would turn their back on the party in the December election, if nothing was done immediately. He indicated that the polling agents had sacrificed a lot for the party and deserved better treatment and recognition.
Mr. Joe Lartey, who plies his trade as a tailor in Tamale, sadly revealed that three of the polling agents lost their lives when they were engaged by the party to man some centres in Kumbungu in the 2004 election.
In reaction to the assertions by the polling agents, the Northern Regional Organiser of the NPP, Mr. Saibu Saani admitted that though the party had not been able to meet the entire needs of its foot soldiers, majority of them had benefited in diverse ways.
He debunked the assertion that the party had deserted the polling agents and explained that the NPP hierarchy had always acknowledged their important contributions.
The NPP Regional Organiser disclosed some of them in most cases expected instant rewards, which he said was not the best for party organization. Mr. Saani said most of the polling agents had benefited greatly from the party, while others had had their capacities built.
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