NPP lost Election 2008 due to complacency - Frimpong-Boateng

Accra, May 19, GNA - Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Wednesday attributed the party's Election 2008 defeat to complacency. "We lost an election that in our complaisance we deemed was easier to win than to lose," Prof Frimpong-Boateng stated in Accra, as he officially launched his bid to contest the presidential primaries of the party for Election 2012.

Tagging the campaign as; "Forging Unity in the NPP Family in the Service of Our Great Nation; A Mission for Modernisation," the renowned Heart Surgeon urged members of the NPP to unite and move away from the looming disaster "of our great party being hijacked for the pursuit of personal ambitions and self-seeking adventure".

Prof Frimpong-Boateng, Head of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, called on the party's delegates to elect a selfless, competent, dynamic and technological inclined aspirant, which he stood for as the party's flagbearer for Election 2012.

He stressed: "I offer to lead our great party to a new era to rediscover the spirit of our founding fathers which includes unity and commitment to service as well as sacrifice. I offer leadership to a new era of disciplined and sustained fight to make corruption and aberration, and a pursuit of a few misguided individuals not a norm or national pursuit in Ghana".

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said: "Given dedicated leadership and a return to our tradition of service and sacrifice for the nation, we can recapture power in Election 2012 and resume the task of rebuilding the nation to bring hope to the citizenry".

He entreated NPP delegates to consider the deteriorating state of national development, rapid illusion of the "Better Ghana agenda" of the ruling National Democratic Congress and make a wise choice. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that, when voted as flagbearer, he would forge a united front to embark on a mission of modernisation and new era of peace and social progress through the use of science and technology.

"This nation has been endowed with more than a fair share of natural resources to enhance the livelihood of the people out of poverty, hunger and disease, yet we lack a selfless, focused and a determined leadership," he said.

On his leadership qualities, Prof Frimpong-Boateng, former Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, noted that when given the mantel, issues relating to victimisation, monetary coercion, personal antagonism would be a thing of the past.

He said; "We would put an end to the desperations of young Ghanaians who trek across the Sahara to seek the proverbial greener pastures in mostly desert countries in North Africa and thus exposing themselves to the risk of dying from hunger and thirst in the Sahara desert".

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng called for attitudinal change among delegates and asked them to concentrate on issues that had a bearing on their survival.

He appealed to supporters of aspiring flagbearers to eschew any form of violence which was likely to mar the beauty of the 2010 NPP Presidential primaries.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that with such an attitude, rich experience, knowledge and vision, he could contribute in changing Ghana so that Ghana would become a better place for the youth, children, grand children and generations yet to come.

He said: "Ghana needs leadership that is credible, competent and inspiring. I seek the NPP leadership because I am concerned about the youth of this country".

"I want to inspire the young Ghanaians to seek virtue in sacrificing to work for the future of our country". Mr Kwame Pianim, a Founding Member of the party, described the aspirant as a "new generation politician" whose knowledge in technology was unrivalled.

He said Prof Frimpong-Boateng is trained and well cultured in Ghanaian culture and traditions and should be given the nod as the party's flagbearer.

Other leading members of the party, including Nana Ohene Ntow, former General Secretary, Mr Haruna Esseku, former National Chairman, and a large number of party supporters attended the launch with some holding placards praising the achievements of Prof Frimpong-Boateng.