Stories and facts
Founding members of the National Democratic Party (NDP)
The National Democratic Party (NDP) emerged as a significant player in Ghanaian politics when it was founded in October 2012, marking a split from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). The party's inception was closely tied to the aftermath of the death of President John Atta Mills in July 2012. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, a former NDC politician and the wife of the late NDC founder Jerry Rawlings, assumed leadership as the first leader of the NDP.
Logo and Colors
The emblem of the NDP is symbolic, featuring a flying dove clutching the Gye Nyame symbol. This choice of logo, coupled with the colors red, green, white, and black, reminiscent of the NDC's colors, reflects the party's commitment to values encapsulated in its motto: Justice, unity, peace, and progress. The party's distinctive colors - red, green, white, and black underscore its visual identity, creating a visual connection with its political roots while expressing a commitment to core principles.
Party Executives
The NDP conducted its inaugural national congress on October 13, 2012, at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. At this congress, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was officially endorsed as the leader of the party. Former President Jerry Rawlings, a key figure in the establishment of the NDC, expressed dissatisfaction with his former party at the NDP congress. The party's interim General Secretary, Manboah Rockson, resigned just before the founding congress, highlighting internal dynamics within the party. Hanford Amoako, former MP for Nkoranza, took on the role of interim General Secretary after Rockson's departure. The congress also appointed Josiah Aryeh as the National Chairman of the NDP, along with other notable officers such as Hilarius Abiwu and David Sunu.
Election History
Parliamentary Elections
The NDP's performance in parliamentary elections has been marked by a gradual decrease in votes and the absence of parliamentary representation:
2012: 33,857 votes (0.31%), 0 seats
2016: 19,450 votes (0.18%), 0 seats
2020: 6,421 votes (0.05%), 0 seats
Presidential Elections
In the presidential elections, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, as the NDP's flagbearer, secured the following results:
2012: Disqualified
2016: 17,207 votes (0.16%), 6th of 7 candidates
2020: 6,549 votes (0.05%), 10th of 12 candidates
Flagbearer
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the spouse of former President Jerry Rawlings, has been the consistent flagbearer for the NDP in presidential elections. Despite facing disqualification in 2012, she continued to represent the party in subsequent elections, garnering varying levels of support.
The NDP's journey since its founding in 2012 has been marked by internal dissent, electoral challenges, and a consistent presence on the political stage, despite not securing parliamentary representation to date. The party continues to play a role in Ghana's political landscape, advocating for its distinctive values and principles.
