National Convention Party (Ghana) Explained

National Convention Party
Abbreviation:NCP
Leader:Kow Nkensen Arkaah
Foundation:1992
Ideology:Nkrumaism
Progressivism
Country:Ghana
Merged:Convention People's Party with People's Convention Party

The National Convention Party (NCP) is a political party in Ghana that existed between 1992 and January 1996.

Formation and Progressive Alliance

The party was formed in 1992 after the ban on political parties was lifted by the military Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government. Its first leader was Kow Nkensen Arkaah. Kojo Tsikata is reported to have been instrumental in getting the Kwame Nkrumah Youngsters Club and the Kwame Nkrumah Welfare Society to merge to form the National Convention Party. He was the patron of both clubs. He was also instrumental along with P. V. Obeng and Ebo Tawiah in forming the electoral alliance between the NCP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).[1]

Electoral performance

1992 elections

The NCP contested the 1992 presidential election in an alliance with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by Jerry Rawlings and Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE) led by Owuraku Amofa. The alliance put forward a single candidate for president, Jerry Rawlings and a single vice president candidate, Ekow Arkaah on November 3, 1992. They won 58.4% of the popular vote[2] and became the first President and Vice President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

In the 29 December 1992 Parliamentary election, the NCP won 8 out of 200 constituencies, becoming the second largest party in parliament.[3]

Parliamentary elections

ElectionNumber of NCP votesShare of votesSeats+/-PositionOutcome of election
1996[4] 65,540 0.9%0 85th of 8
1992[5] 377,673 19.2%8 - 2nd of 3Formed majority government alliance

Presidential elections

Merger

The "Nkrumahist" parties decided to merge before contesting the 1996 elections. The People's Convention Party (PCP) and the NCP then announced the formation of the Convention People's Party on 29 January 1996.[6] This signaled the end of the NCP as a standalone party.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kojo Tsikata masterminded JJ's transition from Chairman to President – Allotey speaks . GhanaWeb . 16 December 2021 . en . 26 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Elections in Ghana:3 November 1992 Presidential Election . 2007-04-17 . Africa Elections Database . Albert C. Nunley.
  3. Web site: Elections in Ghana:29 December 1992 Parliamentary Election . 2007-04-17 . Africa Elections Database . Albert C. Nunley.
  4. Web site: Election Passport - Ghana . Election Passport . American University . 8 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Elections in Ghana . African Elections Database . Albert C. Nunley . 8 November 2020.
  6. News: Arkaah says he can work with Rawlings despite . 2007-04-17 . General News of Thursday, 1 February 1996 . Ghana Home Page.