Accra, Feb. 4, GNA - Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a leading member of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Thursday cautioned delegates and aspirants who would be attending the party's national delegates' congress later this month to avoid electoral manipulations.
The ace heart surgeon and former Chief Executive of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital told the Ghana News Agency in an interview: "NPP stands at the crossroads - to move backward into political disintegration, or set a democratic standard of coming out of the congress more united with both winners and losers jubilating together.
"Posterity would not forgive the delegates to the congress if they fail to elect capable, competent, dedicated and selfless leaders to ensure victory in Election 2012, and eventually give mother Ghana capable and competent leaders."
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, who was a flagbearer aspirant of the party in 2007, described the up-coming congress as crucial in the preparation to win the next general elections.
"You as delegates must therefore critically examine the vision and aspiration of each contestant and decide who to entrust the fortune of the party to."
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, described in political cycle as "super tanker," urged the delegates to scrutinize all the aspirants and vote for independent minded personalities with the capacity and ability to build the party. "You must not forget that re-organsisng and building a party in opposition is more difficult than a party in government; the fortunes on the ground have changed and we need leaders who understand the dynamics of modern day politicking.
"We need leaders who can reach out to other political parties, attract people from diverse social and political backgrounds.We need to build a party and democratic system of administration under which all members will be able to contribute to the welfare, peace and prosperity of our great party and keep it from dictatorship and oppression." He said NPP must also reduce intra-party antagonism, bickering and any negative tendencies that had the potential of derailing the party's quest to regain power.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also called on the delegates to look beyond monetary considerations when deciding who should occupy executive positions in the party. "Our focus should be capable men and women of integrity and acumen to lead us to regain power."
"If NPP is going to be a party that wins elections and stays strong even after we have won elections, we must have strong national executives. It is in that regard that I believe we should spend more time figuring out what the aspiring national executives stand for," he said. Sources say five people have indicated their intention to contest for the National Chairman slot. They are Mr Jake O. Obetsebi-Lamptey, Mr Stephen Ayesu Ntim, Mr Samuel K.A.B. Crabbe, Mr Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong and Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby.
Eight are contesting for National Vice-Chairman position. They are Mr Michael Omari Wadie, Mr Amadu Kaleem, Mr Fred Oware, Ms Rita Asobayire, Sheikh T.B. Damba, Mr Baaba Otoo, Mr Edward Collins Boateng and Ms Sophia Horner-Sam.
For the post of the General Secretary, five contestants including the incumbent, Nana Ohene Ntow, are contesting. The rest are Mr Obeng G. Busia, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoa and Captain (Rtd) Nkrabeah Effah Dartey.
Contestants for National Organizer are Mr. John Boadu, Alhaji Moctar Musa Bamba, and Mr Isaac Eduosar Edumadze, whilst Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw and Ms Esther Dzifah Ofori are vying for the position of the National Treasurer. Contestants for National Youth organizer are Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, Mr Stephen Amoah, Mr Michael Kwabena Ampong and Mr Anthony Abayifaa Karbo, whilst those contesting for National Women Organizer are Ms Otiko Afisah Djaba and Ms Christine Churcher.
