The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Sam Payne, has emphasized the importance of enshrining freedom of association within the constitution of every political party.
He explained that within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), no one can force a presidential candidate to select a specific vice-presidential candidate, citing the party’s constitution which upholds freedom of choice and association.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo, Mr. Payne explained that a presidential candidate selects their own vice-presidential candidate, who is then presented to the New Patriotic Party’s Council Members for approval.
“Freedom of Association should be situated in the context of a political party’s constitution, we work with constitutional organs. In the NPP party nobody has the authority to compel a presidential candidate to choose a specific vice-presidential candidate,” he said.
Highlighting that the NPP’s decision is binding on the choice of every presidential candidate, he underscored that once a vice-presidential candidate is chosen, all party members are expected to endorse this selection, regardless of any initial disagreements.
Mr. Payne advised that once a vice-presidential candidate is announced to the public, all party members should refrain from personalizing issues and instead promote positive discourse, avoiding insults.
“The moment a Political Party announces the vice presidential candidate of a presidential candidate, it is the mandate of every party member to accept the choice and refrain from personalizing issues and insults,” he remarked.
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Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
