NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN GHANA This study was undertaken by Team of Researchers from University of Ghana • Prof. Emmanuel Debrah • Dr. Isaac Owusu-Mensah • Mr. Alex D. K. Frempong • Dr. Maame Gyeke-Jandoh • Mr. Samuel Okoto Amankwa Frontpage photo: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds a rally in the Ashalebotwe region of Accra, Ghana. © Louise Wateridge/Pacific Press/Alamy 2 | Page Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................. 2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 8 1.2 The Methodology ....................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Regulatory Framework of the Political Parties .................................................... 10 2.2 Geographical Strongholds of the Political Parties ............................................... 11 CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................... 13 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 13 3.2 National Democratic Congress NDC ..................................................................... 13 3.2.1 History, Function and Policy Principles ........................................................ 13 3.2.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 14 3.2.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 14 3.2.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 15 3.2.5 Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 15 3.2.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 16 3.2.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 16 3.2.8 Electoral Campaign ......................................................................................... 16 3.3 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) .............................................................................. 17 3.3.1 History, Function and Policy Principles ........................................................ 17 3.3.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 17 3.3.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 18 3.3.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 18 3.3.5 Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 19 3.3.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 19 3.3.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 19 3.3.8 Electoral Campaign ......................................................................................... 19 3.4 The People’s National Convention PNC ............................................................... 20 3.4.1 History, Function and Policy Process ............................................................. 20 3 | Page 3.4.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 20 3.4.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 21 3.4.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 21 3.4.5 Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 22 3.4.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 22 3.4.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 22 3.4.8 Electoral Campaign ......................................................................................... 22 3.5 The Convention People’s Party CPP ..................................................................... 22 3.5.1 History, Function and Policy Principles ........................................................ 22 3.5.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 23 3.5.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 23 3.5.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 24 3.5.5. Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 24 3.5.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 25 3.5.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 25 3.5.8 Electoral Campaign ......................................................................................... 25 3.6 The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) ................................................................... 25 3.6.1 History, Function and Policy Principles ........................................................ 25 3.6.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 26 3.6.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 27 3.6.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 27 3.6.5 Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 27 3.6.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 27 3.6.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 28 3.6.8 Electoral Campaign ......................................................................................... 28 3.7 Liberal Party of Ghana (formerly, Independent People’s Party) LPG ............. 28 3.7.1 History, Function and Policy Principles ........................................................ 28 3.7.2 Party Organizational Structure ...................................................................... 28 3.7.3 Internal Party Processes .................................................................................. 29 3.7.4 Membership and Funding ............................................................................... 29 3.7.5 Legislative Profile ............................................................................................. 29 3.7.6 Capacity Building ............................................................................................ 29 4 | Page 3.7.7 Communication ................................................................................................ 30 3.7.8 Electoral campaign .......................................................................................... 30 3.8 Summary of Political Parties’ Needs ..................................................................... 30 CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................... 32 4.1 Existing Local Governance Structure ................................................................... 32 4.2 Towards Party-Based Local Governance ............................................................. 33 4.3 Other explanations have been provided by groups and individuals in favour of the referendum (that seeks to amend Article 55(3): ........................................................ 36 4.4 Dissenting Views ...................................................................................................... 37 4.5 Benefits (Major Parties and Smaller Parties) ....................................................... 39 4.6 Sensitization and Mobilization towards the Suspended Referendum ................ 39 4.6.1 Government (MLGRD) ................................................................................... 40 4.6.2 State Institutions .............................................................................................. 40 4.6.3 The Political Parties ......................................................................................... 40 4.6.4 Other Stakeholders .......................................................................................... 41 4.7 The Strategies .......................................................................................................... 42 CHAPTER 5 ..........................................................................................................................