National Democratic Party (Ghana) Explained

National Democratic Party
Colorcode:Red
Leader:Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings
Chairperson:Josiah Aryeh
Slogan:Justice, unity, peace and progress
Split:National Democratic Congress
Position:Centre-left
Colours:Red, Green, White, and Black
Seats1 Title:Parliament
Seats1:
Hex:
  1. ff0000
Symbol:flying dove holding on to the Gye Nyame symbol
State:Ghana

The National Democratic Party (NDP) is a Ghanaian political party, founded in October 2012 as a split from the ruling National Democratic Congress. Its first leader was former NDC politician Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who is also the wife of former President of Ghana and NDC founder Jerry Rawlings.

Founding

The NDP was founded in the wake of the death of President John Atta Mills in July 2012. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings had been a 2011 rival of Atta Mills prior to his re-nomination as the NDC candidate for president. The NDP announced its formation as part of the opposition to the NDC's candidate, President John Dramani Mahama, for the 7 December 2012 presidential election. The NDP was announced on 6 July 2012 by its interim General Secretary, Manboah Rockson, and was said to be born of dissatisfaction with the NDC, which had often been personified by the Rawlingses and their supporters.[1] Former populist military head of state Jerry Rawlings had formed the NDC in 1992, and had led the party as President of Ghana from 1993 to 2001, although he had differences with his successor Atta Mills.[2] [3] Its emblems are described as:

...a flying dove holding on to the Gye Nyame symbol as its logo and the colours red, green, white and black similar to that of the NDC with the motto: Justice, unity, peace and progress.[1]

The NDP held its first national congress at Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi on 13 October 2012, endorsing Agyeman Rawlings as its leader.[4] Former President Jerry Rawlings, who spoke at the NDP congress, had as a NDC member attended the launch of Mahama's campaign manifesto on 4 October, leading to what the BBC called "speculation that her candidature could divide the Rawlings home."[5] At the NDP congress he gave a speech saying his former party had lost the "moral high ground" and promising a "proper revolution" within the NDC, saying the party's selection process had been corrupt.[6] [7]

Interim General Secretary Manboah Rockson resigned from the NDP just before the founding congress, saying he was returning to the NDC.[8] Hanford Amoako, former MP for Nkoranza, was named interim General Secretary to replace him.[9] The 13 October congress named Josiah Aryeh as National Chairman of the NDP.[10] Other officers included Hilarius Abiwu[11] and David Sunu.[12]

Election performance

Parliamentary elections

ElectionVotes%Seats+/–PositionGovernment
201233,8570.31%6th
201619,4500.18% 6th
20206,4210.05% 8th

Presidential elections

ElectionCandidateNumber of votesShare of votesOutcome of election
2020Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings6,5490.05%10th of 12[13]
2016Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings17,2070.16%6th of 7[14]
2012Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings - - Disqualified

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Birth Of National Democratic Party Linked To Rawlingses Confirmed In Accra . All Ghana News . 7 July 2012.
  2. News: President John Atta Mills funeral held in Ghana . BBC News . 10 August 2012.
  3. News: Rawlings: The legacy . BBC News . 1 December 2000.
  4. News: Ghana: It's Nana Konadu for NDP . Frederick Asiamah . 15 October 2012 . GhanaWeb via AllAfrica.
  5. News: Ghana's Jerry Rawlings 'backs' wife's presidential bid . BBC News . 15 October 2012.
  6. News: NDP crowd shakes NDC . Kwabena Amankwah . The Statesman via Peace FM . 16 October 2012.
  7. News: Former Ghana president 'risks expulsion' from ruling party . Xinhua via Africa Review . 16 October 2012.
  8. News: NDP Interim General Secretary Manboa-Rockson resigns . NewsGhana . 12 October 2012.
  9. News: NDP appoints Interim General Secretary to replace Mamboah-Rockson . NDP News via Modern Ghana . 12 October 2012.
  10. News: Ghana: NDP Holds Successful Congress . The Chronicle . 15 October 2012.
  11. News: NDP to hold its maiden National Congress October 13 . GNA via GhanaWeb . 11 October 2012.
  12. News: Nana Konadu Sure To Lead NDP As 2016 Flagbearer . NewsGhana . 29 April 2016.
  13. Web site: EC revises disparities in presidential election results . www.ghanaweb.com . 11 December 2020 . en . 10 December 2020.
  14. Web site: After 275 of 275 Constituencies declared . PeaceFM Online . Despite Media Group . 26 October 2020.