Understanding Party Factionalism And Fragmentation, The Case Of Two Nkrumahist Parties In Ghana
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Journal of International Affairs
Abstract
It is widely argued that intra-party struggles for leadership and the
emergence of factions within any political party are inevitable.
However, it becomes problematic when cooperative factionalism
within political parties turns out to be degenerative. This article
sets out to illuminate some possible triggers that have
contributed to the inability for Ghana’s Convention People’s Party
(CPP) and People’s National Convention (PNC) to overcome their
fragmentation. The argument here is that excessive personality
cults, coupled with the exploitation of warring factions within the
CPP and PNC have undermined the electoral prospects of these
two Nkrumahist-inspired parties. The article notes, among other
dynamics, the need for these parties to build robust party
structures, tone down on excessive personalisation of party
leadership, and minimise political opportunism.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Factionalism, Ghana, Nkrumahists