NPP challenges government to build the capacity of Ghanaians

Accra, June 29, GNA - Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, flag bearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday called on government to empower and build the capacity of Ghanaians to make the country dependent on its own resources.

He noted that even though Ghana was blessed with enormous human and natural resources, the country was yet to catch up with developed countries due to the lack of good leadership and hard working and disciplined citizens.

Speaking to newsmen in Accra after touring some constituencies in the Greater Accra Region, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng who during interaction with delegates demonstrated his accomplishment in power point presentation, urged the delegates to vote for him for victory in Election 2012. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng laced his campaign with exhibition of bio-diesel extracted from "jetropha" plant cultivated on his "jetropha" plantation. He pointed out that it was the fuel he used for his vehicles during the campaign tour to canvass support to become the party's flag bearer. According to Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, he produced 140 litres of bio-diesel daily from his small "jetropha" plantation and believed this could be replicated on a large scale at the national level to drastically reduce the country's over dependence on crude oil imports.

On his chances of winning the NPP primaries, he said the chance of being victorious was good, because the delegates were beginning to understand the need for elections and were looking up to somebody like him. "We should not just make people leaders because they know how to talk. I am unique because I have sacrificed to serve the people at the Cardio Thoracic Centre, the Ghana Medical School and as Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital," he said.

"My yes is my yes and my no is my no. These are the kind of people who should lead the nation and not people who are good at talking," he added. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said he would ensure that Ghanaians produced their own goods for consumption instead of relying on importation of foreign goods.

He said if voted to power, "the situation whereby Ghanaians would want to import everything, even belt, spoons, pens, chalk, and cutlasses would become a thing of the past".

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said Ghanaians needed capacity building training and the required logistics to empower them to manufacture products for consumption and export.

He said "hardwork, punctuality, discipline and anti-corruption would be the hallmark of my administration," adding that his top priority would be irrigation, health and education. 29 June 10