Accra, July 8, GNA - Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, an aspiring flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday urged the 120,000 delegates to convert their admirations for his personal accomplishment into casting of votes for him.

He said his message of hope, change of tradition, practical method for transforming the economy through ICT (Information and Communication) and pragmatic leadership style, ability to unite the party and also attract floating voters had won him a number of admirers. "The response from the rank and file, including leading NPP personalities and executives was that of commendation, and acknowledgement that NPP and Ghana deserve Prof Frimpong-Boateng as the President," he stressed.

He said he cannot win the NPP flagbearership if the support on the ground is translated into massive votes. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Prof Frimpong-Boateng urged the delegates to scrutinise all the five aspirants, their promises against personal accomplishment, ability to stand tall especially morally against other candidates from other parties and incumbent President John Evans Atta Mills on December 7, 2012.

He said NPP must elect a candidate with a track record of excellence and a clear vision that would convince non-NPP members that "he has what it takes to develop our dear country Ghana". "Prof Frimpong-Boateng stand-out among the lot as the only one among the contestants who has shown practically what it would take to build centres of industry, service, commerce, culture and learning to transform Ghana," he said. Nana Owusu Boamah, Press Secretary of Prof Frimpong-Boateng described him as a person whose achievements could be marketed throughout the country by the NPP with ease to win Election 2012. He said "at the same time he is the least susceptible to attacks by political opponents especially the ruling National Democratic Congress. Nana Boamah said in view of the crucial nature of Election 2012, NPP must elect a national personality as a flagbearer. "Prof Frimpong-Boateng's characteristics put him at pole position to win power for the NPP," he said.

The Press Secretary said: "We are delighted to learn that delegates have recognised that among the contestants Prof Frimpong-Boateng is the one that can be trusted to bring other political traditions to join hands in winning Election 2012. Prof Frimpong-Boateng radiates hope and encouragement to both party and non-party members." Among Prof Frimpong-Boateng's personal achievements are first black person to perform a heart transplant in the world, performed the first heart/lung transplant in Hanover, Germany. He established the National Cardiothoracic Centre, which is now recognised by West African College of Surgeons to train heart surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anaesthetists, operating room nurses, intensive care nurses, cardiac technicians, and other cardiothoracic technicians. He performed the first open-heart surgery in Ghana using the heart-lung-machine, established the Ghana Heart Foundation to raise funds to assist those who cannot afford the cost of heart surgery. 8 July 10