The New Patriotic Party Saturday successfully held its final internal elections to elect its 2016 Parliamentary candidates. It was conducted in 245 constituencies across the country. Thirty constituencies have been put on hold and will be conducting theirs in the next few weeks.

Some incumbent Members of Parliament were unseated in the most fiercely contested Parliamentary primaries in our Party's history. But the leader and Presidential candidate of our Party, Nana Addo reached out to them this morning. This is what he had to say: "To the sitting MPs who lost, I applaud their service to our party and nation and ask them not to be disheartened. They have important roles to play in the forward march of the party".

To both the successful and unsuccessful aspirants, Nana Addo noted: "I also respectfully appeal to those who were successful on the day to reach out and bring on board their fellow aspirants who did not win. Unsuccessful aspirants should in their turn also reciprocate this gesture". This intervention by Nana Addo for me is most appropriate.

Going forward, the NPP must regroup as soon as practicable and activate the 2016 project. In the constituencies around the country, the elected Parliamentary Candidates must start a discussion with the Constituency Executives to mobilise the best talents and resources in their areas for this crucial task ahead. The base of the Party must work if we are to deliver a working machinery for the task ahead, and it can only work efficiently if it is supervised and provided with competent leadership.  

That is why I was extremely delighted that we successfully concluded the elections of 245 PCs to provide leadership and motivation for our local organisers and volunteers and to work to win the seats and the popular vote.

Elections are won at the polling stations. First, we must "hunt" the votes at our various polling stations, then create a relationship with the voters and canvass them to come along with us. Strategic political campaigning is when you spend time and energy talking to people who dislike your Party, people who are members of other parties and people who claim they have no parties. Whilst reaching out to this category of voters, it is important that we work to keep our base intact and motivated. At the local level (constituencies), the Parliamentary Candidates together with the Constituency Executives must ensure that our Polling Station Executives are motivated enough to be able to perform the task assigned to them between now and December 7, 2016. People get motivated not by material things but by recognition, compassion, commiseration and a tangible plan/approach to addressing their needs. We must keep our base excited at all times to do the job properly.

The reason we are a Political Party is to win political power so as to address the myriad of problems faced by the citizens of our devastated country. The focus of every NPP officer, member, supporter and sympathiser must be how we can win election 2016. We must lead the charge and advocacy for proper governance. We must lead in advocating why we believe our flagbearer will be an excellent President. We must also articulate the reasons our Parliamentary candidates are better than the rest. Let's not do anything to disfigure the image of our Party.

We must all stand firm and focused. We ought to be strong, tireless, agile and optimistic as we seek the backing of the voting public. The burden on us is huge and complex. We cannot let go.

The constituencies; having elected their candidates must start vigorous campaigns in the communities now. The campaign must be owned and operated by you; the local Party memberships. Accra will only supplement.

If we get things right at the base, we will win the Presidency and most seats in the Legislative Assembly.

I conclude this piece by congratulating all the elected PCs. I wish you well as you step into this "unique" roles in your various constituencies to lead the 2016 project. May you be guided and guarded by Allah in these crucial roles you have been elected to undertake.

God bless our Party.