Owusu-Agyemang Poised to win

REPORTS REACHING the Ghanaian Chronicle indicate that Hackman Kwame Owusu-Agyemang, one of the leading contestants of the flagbearership slot of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has walked over his perceived front-runners and is poised to win the battle, in tomorrow's delegates' congress.

According to some party insiders, for this crucial delegates congress, Hackman, who has made waves with his simple but captivating message of track record, experience, commitment and competence, has secretly been labeled by his colleague aspirants, as the man to watch in tomorrow's race

Our checks among party members, including Members of Parliament (MPs) has also revealed that the suave, but confident aspirant, who has impressively overtaken his peers with lightening speed, is sending shivers down the spines of the perceived frontrunners.

Even according to aides, close to Hackman, some aspirants, who beyond every shadow of doubt, had high hopes in their capability to win the slot, have begun to panic at the rate at which the former Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing has gained increased popularity.

The track record of commitment and support for the party of the man, described as 'Action Man' seems to be more appealing to delegates, who are obviously engaged in a mental exercise, to weigh the other aspirants' contributions to the party as against his (Hackman).

While other aspirants brag, about the fact that the NPP tradition was ingrained in their bones and marrow, the Action Man, who is also the NPP MP for New Juaben North, is reported to have made delegates aware of the fact that the party was nurtured on his laps and groomed under his roof.

Interestingly, some adherent supporters, of some of the lead aspirants, are reported to be shifting allegiance, as they are swayed by the performance and touching campaign message of the Action Man.

Delegates and party supporters, who through recent campaigns, heard for the first time that Mr. Owusu Agyemang was the one, who through dedication and sacrifice, purchased a building for use as the party's first headquarters, were thrilled by the gesture.

Described by close pals as the man with the 'Midas touch', the astute politician and former Minister of Foreign Affairs has been acknowledged by grassroots supporters as one who would make a mature leader.

Mr. Kojo Agyemang, director of operations of Hackamn's campaign team, has confirmed the increasing popularity of his boss, and stated that the indomitable financial pillar of the NPP has also been accepted by delegates, as the only one who has faced the vicissitudes of life and sailed through successfully.

Hackman, he noted, was highly praised for his sharp business acumen, and ability to raise funds, as well as being the first National Treasurer of the party, who was able to attract funds for the group, at a time when political party formation was not an attractive undertaking, owing to the cruel and barbaric nature of politics at the time.

According to him, delegates are, however, convinced that these courageous traits could easily be replicated at the national level, if the Action Man gets the nod, as the party's standardbearer.

Reports reaching this paper indicate that the East Legon residence of the Action Man has become a spot of attraction to senior party members, MPs and delegates, who on a daily basis troop in to throw their weight behind the candidate, who they have described as winnable material and one worthy of their votes.

Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and also a former Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Dr. Yaw Apenteng, says after a thorough research among all the NPP aspirants, it was clear to him that Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, the immediate past Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, should be given the mandate to succeed President John Agyekum Kufuor.

According to him, a vote for Hackman was a sure way for a successful take-off into middle-income status by 2015, and urged potential delegates to vote for the aspirant.

"Hackman is the man of action and full of ideas. Vote for him as NPP flagbearer, and the sure vehicle for a successful take-off into middle-income status by 2015. Under the leadership of Hackman, we will see action-oriented, which is the hallmark of him," he told this paper in an interview.

To Dr. Appenteng, Hackman has been able to demonstrate his capability and capacity to transform the nation.

Apart from his track record, which makes him refer to him as an 'Action-Oriented Man', he noted that the aspirant has proven to be a committed party member.

According to him, Hackman has proved beyond all doubts that when given the baton to lead the NPP in the general elections, and eventually emerge as the President, the nagging and minor problems that the country faces would be a thing of the past.

The GIMPA lecturer said it was worthy to note, that the ex-Minister has put in place suitable mortgage packages for public servants, who will be offered the opportunity to purchase houses, under the affordable housing project, which he said was a significant accomplishment of Hackman.