FLASHBACK: Any idiot can be flagbearer - Kwame Pianim

Ten years ago, renowned economist and a leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwame Pianim urged the party to choose a flagbearer who is technologically inclined and not an old-fashioned flagbearer.

In a passionate statement delivered at the launch of Professor Frimpong Boateng’s bid to contest the Presidential race of the NPP, he asked party delegates not to elect just any candidate but someone with analytical brains.

In a peacefmonline report, Mr Pianim touted Professor Frimpong Boateng as the right man for that position.

"The NPP is not looking for a flagbearer because any idiot can hold the flag, so the NPP must go for a tried and tested person with lots of experience in leadership…he is the man of my choice, if you look at the people who are running; you can find a few of the new generation politicians. There are those who can charm the delegates but you are not just looking for somebody who can chant slogans, we are not looking for a pretty face, we are looking for somebody who can tackle life and death matters with calmness, creative listening, precision and also action," he stated.

Mr. Pianim minced no words in describing the former Head of the Cardiothoracic Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as incorruptible and someone determined to change things to impact society positively.

“This day and age there are people who are struggling to become president, but they don’t know how to use e-mail. Criminals would have the freedom to dictate to the security agencies and corruption will reign freely if any other aspirant is elected into office,” he said.

Read the original story published by GhanaWeb on 19 May 2010

Renowned economist and a leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwame Pianim, has touted Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng as a “new generation politician” who is technologically inclined and has therefore urged NPP delegates not to elect any candidate because any idiot can be flagbearer.

Mr. Pianim believes if the NPP needs a presidential candidate who is up to grasp with modern trends and can think outside the box, rather than an old fashioned person with outdated ideas, then the party needs not side-step the celebrated and selfless heart surgeon.

"The NPP is not looking for a flagbearer because any idiot can hold the flag, so the NPP must go for a tried and tested person with lots of experience in leadership…he is the man of my choice, if you look at the people who are running; you can find a few of the new generation politicians. You can find people with good analytical brains, there are those who can charm the delegates but you are not just looking for somebody who can chant slogans, we are not looking for a pretty face, we are looking for somebody who can tackle life and death matters with calmness, creative listening, precision and also action," he stated.

In a passionate statement delivered at the launch of Professor Frimpong Boateng’s bid to contest the Presidential race of the NPP, which was witnessed by former General Secretary of the Party, Nana Ohene Ntow and former Chairman of the party Harona Esseku, the former Chairman of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) took a swipe at some presidential candidates who he claimed were ignorant in the use of technology.

“This day and age there are people who are struggling to become president, but they don’t know how to use e-mail," he added.

Mr. Pianim minced no words in describing the former Head of the Cardiothoracic Unit of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital as incorruptible and someone determined to change things to impact society positively.

“…criminals would have the freedom to dictate to the security agencies and corruption will reign freely if any other aspirant is elected into office,” he said.