Frimpong Boateng: Why I Want To Lead NPP

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the celebrated heart surgeon and leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says he wants to run again for the NPP flag-bearership because he considers himself as “a symbol of unity, hope, progress and development”.

A news release issued in Accra and signed by Nana Owusu Boamah, press secretary to the professor said, “As president, Prof. can be trusted to solve the problems of indiscipline, armed robbery, filth, corruption, boost science and technology, low educational standards disunity and polarization of Ghana.

“Our party the NPP is in serious self-inflicted difficulties. We lost a general election which, theoretically, was easier to win than lose. In the process of soul searching and healing of wounds, a small section of the party seems to have abandoned the noble values and principles that have characterized our political tradition.

“The tradition which the NPP hails from has, from its beginning, believed in the freedom of citizens and respect of their fundamental human rights, including the freedom of choice without monetary coercion”.

The release indicated, “Unfortunately factionalism, intimidation, intolerance and sometimes outright violence have become methods which some people employ to achieve their political objectives.

Critical and constructive analysis of our challenges, shortcomings and failures should be allowed to gain root in the way we conduct business”.

It further stated, “To regain the confidence of Ghanaians, the NPP needs leaders who will radiate hope and encouragement to party members. We need leaders who will appeal to floating voters”.

The release admitted that that NPP members and supporters alone could not marshal the votes needed to win general elections, adding “Indeed, we need a leader who, in addition to NPP supporters, can attract floating voters and even sympathizers of other political parties. Such a leader should be upright, decent, a team player and trustworthy”.

“Presently the NPP has been tagged by a section of Ghanaians with unfortunate characteristics such as being arrogant, insensitive to needs of poor people, elitist, greedy, exclusive of its members abroad and even antagonistic to them, corrupt, uncaring about their own foot-soldiers and the youth, saying ‘we cannot burden ourselves with individuals who display traces of characteristics which feed into these ugly perceptions’,” it stressed.

The release emphasized that “we need to put our best foot forward. The NDC is not going to treat us with kids’ gloves in 2012. Let us present the best team we can assemble.

“For now and the future, the NPP must have leaders who must not have problems that become indefensible baggage in the public arena.

Our membership and the nation want from us people of integrity in both public and private life. I am talking about achievers, visionaries who will lead by example; men and women who are trustworthy, approachable and friendly.

“Our people are expecting us to give them leaders who have the capacity to unite factions in the party and be consumed only by inclusiveness of all regardless of place of domicile or ethnicity,” Professor Frimpong-Boateng stated in the release.

It further stated that Ghana needs leaders who understand the complex political, economic and technical issues of this world and know what it takes to move Ghana from third world squalor to first world affluence.

The release also stressed the need for unity, saying “it is only when we put our acts together and unite that we can convince Ghanaians that indeed, we are ready to take over the management of this nation again. Ghana needs a complete overhaul”.

Source: Daily Guide/Ghana