He explained that the NPP can take a step closer to retaining power in the 2020 elections if yesterday’s delegates’ conference is conducted in a peaceful manner.

“This is a family gathering, a meeting to see how best to ensure that our party is strong and formidable for future elections,” Mr. Blay noted.

Five thousand delegates attended the conference to, among other things, decide on amendments to portions of the party’s constitution.

Delegates voted yesterday to expand the Electoral College that elects the party’s National Youth Organiser and Women’s Organiser.

Some members of the party have also called for a review of the requirements for qualification to be elected into the constituency and regional executive positions.

They argued that only persons, who have gone through the ranks of the party at the local level, should be given the chance to vie for such positions.

A number of concerns raised over some of the proposed amendments to the Constitution were resolved amicably.

For instance, the NPP-USA branch, issued a strongly-worded statement accusing some persons in the party of hijacking the process.

But in an interview, Mr. Blay stated that such assertions would not be accepted.

“We are here to do something good for our great party, all these allegations and counter allegations will not help us, the party should consolidate its gains, work to improve its fortunes and that’s what is important,” he stressed.

Sunday’s extraordinary conference follows the NPP’s annual national delegates conference in August at Cape Coast.

The party is expected to hold a congress in May 2018 to elect new national officers. –citifmonline.com