NPP has huge goodwill – Dan Botwe

Dan Kwaku Botwe, former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has revealed that, contrary to the claims of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the vicious propaganda spun from its machine, his findings on the ground during his last campaign trip as flagbearer aspirant of the ruling party is that the NPP enjoys a huge goodwill on the ground.

He admitted, however, that because elections are always tricky exercises to undertake, it is imperative that his party consolidates its gains by strengthening its tactical systems.

"Contrary to the NDC's wicked and vile propaganda spin and its antedated Ya-Na politics, I have enough reason and evidence to assert that the New Patriotic Party and the Kufuor administration enjoy tremendous goodwill and support on the ground."

According to the Ghanaian Observer, Dan 'General' Botwe made the assertion, after what the Presbyterian trained former student leader describes as his first missionary journey to all the 230 constituencies to sell the party and himself to the electorate and delegates of the NPP.

The NPP master tactician also disclosed that wherever he happened to have found himself during his campaign tour from Accra to Zebilla, the ordinary people had hailed Government and the NPP for the great strides it had made in giving Ghana a name and image among the comity of nations, whether here in the sub-region, Africa or the world at large.

"People are suddenly waking up to the realisation that unlike we had in previous times, there is now an ocean of hope for all who are determined to make the best out of their socio-economic conditions.

"From Accra to Zebilla, I have realised that people are becoming more politically aware and patriotic. Nobody wants to be deceived any longer and more and more Ghanaians are looking up to the NPP as the political administration to take Ghana into the next level in the war against poverty, political instability and a national developmental package that would see the youth of the nation harnessing their own potential for self-development.

Dan Botwe, who told GO in an interview recently that he was able, during his grueling campaign rounds, to interact with traditional rulers, youth groups and activists and senior citizens of the party, also disclosed that he had told himself and God over and over again that one thing he would strive hard not to do is engage in any act that would undermine the good fortunes of the party he had helped so dutifully to build.

As a key member of the National Campaign Team and head of the party's research department, the former Minister of Information admitted that there are headaches regarding feuding at various levels of the party, which need redress. He was, however, of the opinion that what needs to be done is recognise the contributions of every individual to the party and encourage feuding groups and individuals to put aside personal interests and compromise on the vision and mission that unites all true democrats and NPP rank and file members, for that matter.

He told the Ghanaian Observer that, in line with encouraging foot-soldiers and activists in the party to continue catching the vision, he had personally contacted all known faces and names in the 230 constituencies and has begun working with them on various projects, all aimed at helping strengthen the party.

The 49-year-old flagbearer aspirant, reminding himself and all party people of his campaign message when he was vying for the General Secretary slot about ten years ago, said his prayer has always been for grace from God to enable him continue being a peace-maker and builder of bridges between the young and old in the party.

As a former student leader, top party research guy and chief executive of a political party, Minister and Cabinet member, he can't think of any other experience he will need to lead a government he had played a key role in birthing.

"When it was a crazy thing in Ghana to fight the Rawlings dictatorship in the 80s, I as a student leader, put my life and academic fortunes and interests on the line in the interest of Ghana. We have not been afraid of the NDC's guns ... Defenceless and without weapons, we snatched the seat from under them .. .During crucial bye-elections, we have proved capable of holding out the forces of intimidation ... What else can we, by the Grace of God, not do? What we need as a party is a determination to close our ranks and deliver in order to receive the people's mandate again in 2008 to continue with the President's excellent job started in 200I", Dan appealed to rank and file of the NPP.