Contestants vying for the presidential slot of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) have been asked not to unduly influence their campaign with wealth else it would undermine the integrity and unity of the party.
“Usually in such contests there are few brushes. But at the national level we believe that these brushes should not be such that they will be difficult to heal.”
The General Secretary of the NPP Nana Ohene Ntow stated this when Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a presidential aspirant filed his nomination forms at the party’s headquarters in Accra on Friday to contest the primaries scheduled for December 14 this year.
Mr. Agyapong was the fourth contestant to file his forms out of the 17 who have picked forms. Nana Ohene Ntow reminded the aspirants that the contest is a family affair that happens every four years and that aspirants must prevail upon members of their campaign teams and supporters to abide by regulations otherwise it will go against them.
He assured all contestants that the national office will handle the contest in an efficient manner. After submitting his forms and a bank draft for ¢250million (GH¢25,000), Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong reiterated that the issue of age should not be used against him.
According to him all that the country needs is a leader with vision, who is intelligent and has dignity. “I am very proud of the achievements of my government, looking at the things they are doing.” He said Ghana is currently stable because over the last six years people have been enjoying sound and peaceful atmosphere.
Mr. Agyepong who is a former Press Secretary to President Kufuor believes that the people of this country recognize him because he served diligently and selflessly during his tenure in the government.
“There are many Ghanaians who believe that I served diligently in the NPP government and are going to vote for me.”
He continued, “Whatever we do should reflect on our lives and work because that is what will take you far.”
Mr. Agyapong cautioned that those who think they can use money should think twice and rather respect the integrity of the electorates, as the NPP tradition was built on hard work.
“I believe that if you have a solid message they will give their vote to you.”
He advised fellow politicians to protect their dignity, saying, “That and my motivating factor to serve the nation is what is pushing me forward.”
A hundred party members, ten from each region, and all of whom must be in good standing, are needed to endorse each aspirant. In the run down to the delegates conference of the ruling NPP, the presidential aspirants on the platform of the party are seventeen.
They include the incumbent Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Mr. Alan Kyeremanten former Minister Trade, Industry and PSI, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Former Chief Executive of Korle-Bu Teaching and Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, Former Minister Foreign Affairs.
The rest are Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, MP for Offinso North, Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, former Finance and Economic Planning Minister and MP for Oda, Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang, former Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Daniel Kwaku Botwe, former Information Minister and Papa Owusu Ankomah, former Minister for education.
Mr. Felix Owusu Agyepong, Majority leader in Parliament, MP for Berekum, Captain (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah Darteh and Mr. Boakye Kyeremanten-Agyarko former Vice President of Bank of New York among others are contending.
No comments:
Post a Comment