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Opinions of Tuesday, 16 January 2007

Columnist: Amankwah, Nana Kofi

The inside editions of NPP Aspirants

Mr. J H Mensah has vigorously expressed his leadership positions as the elder of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), this signifies that somebody has finally positioned himself and use his commonsense to stop the madness within the party. The free for all presidential aspirants must end; all should start building a good image for NPP and those who sacrificed their lives for these traditions over five decades ago.

The inflows of presidential aspirants for 2008, were a disgrace to the UP traditional principles; this was not Boakye Danquah’s vision for party leaderships. These individuals think the fact that they have held a position as ministers, will allow them to govern a country. Is this a joke? They have built their self-esteem on their selfish egocentric ideology that made them think they can be a president in Ghana. Running a country is totally different from being a minister. For example, in America most of the good presidents were governors from their states with good governance experiences, this is one of the methods used to measure a good presidential candidate. The ministers and senators, who have been elected into office as president, have been in their position for a long time with successful experience in domestic and foreign issues. These NPP aspirants have to access themselves, and question their various positions on what have they done for their constituencies. This is common measure that will eradicate those NPP aspirants wannabe’s. As a spokes person for the common people who are not politically incorporated, it is my obligation to scrutinize these presidential aspirants to the public. If someone desires to become a servant to our dear nation, we all have the right to know him or her before they assume the office.

Somebody like the current defense minister, Kwame Aaddo Kuffour, who has been an MP for 16 years as our representative at Manhayia constituency which is my constituency has done practically nothing regarding developments in our communities. As a medical doctor the only clinic in our constituency was a Manhayia clinic which was destroyed by Akwsi Agyeman. Addo Kuffour promised the community to rebuild the clinic almost six years ago nothing has been dane on said projects. Now these individuals who do not think about those who put him in his current position have the audacity to think that he can become a president.

Henceforth, those Ghanaians who think Yaw Osafo Maafo is the right person to govern the country have got this all wrong. These individuals have ethical issues that have discredited his credentials to become a president for our nation. The IFC loans that were initiated by Allan Kyeremanten, while he was the Ghana ambassador in Washington DC, Yaw Osafo Maafo was the finance minister when things went wrong in a dubious manner. Osafo Maafo needs to explain the role he played that resulted in his being fired from the Ministry of Finance. Moreover, Allan Kyerematen should also explain to Ghanaians about what happened to the loans between himself, Yaw Osafo Maafo and Kuffour’s cabinet. Yaw Osafo Maafo, as a Minister of Education and Sports brought his own goal to use the ministry to enrich himself by writing a book which the President warn him not to do. He actually refused the orders. Such apolitical, selfish person should never think of being a president in Ghana. After all, the solid foundation of the Ministry of education was built by Kwadwo Baah Wiredu who did not use the ministry to enrich himself. With regard to the current Foreign affairs minister Akufo Addo, the country should not elect a person whose views do not represent the common people. This individual is so arrogant that upon his arrival at the NPP delegate conference in Koforidua, he couldn’t acknowledge his own supporters. If this man is elected, how is he going to acknowledge those who put him in office as a president. Ghanaians do not need a man who comes from an affluent background to become a president. Especially if he’s not going to serves the common people’s interest and the middle class. Hamid Mustapha lies about Akufo Addo’s behavior at the Koforidua. I will further explain the consequence of an arrogant leader in the future.

The Vice President Aliu Mahama could have become the next president, but due to some questionable business connections with some members from the Nigeria government has discredited his sincerity in becoming our leader. The public was not aware of his involvements. I believe he needs to explain his involvement to the media.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are five candidates; anyone of them could become the next presidential candidate for NPP Party. Now let us use the system of elimination to choose the best two. In the end only almighty God has the power to decide the leader for our dear nation.

Nana Kofi Amankwah (New York)

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.