President Kufuor to seek re-election

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday elected President John Agyekum Kufuor as its flag bearer for the 2004 elections. The Party endorsed his candidature by a popular acclamation at its Special National Delegates Congress held in Sekondi, to declare President Kufuor's re-election.

This was after the Western Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Reginald Amihere, had declared him as the sole candidate for the position. Before the acclamation, Mr Daniel Botwe, General Secretary of the Party read Article 12, Clause 7, which stipulated that at the Party's National Congress any sole candidate for the position of flag bearer should be endorsed by acclamation.

President Kufuor was the sole candidate who filed his nomination to be the flag bearer of the Party on September 3, last year at the close of nominations, which opened on May 31.

He thus becomes the only politician in Ghana to contest four presidential elections on the ticket of one political party since Independence.

President Kufuor entered politics in 1969 during the Second Republic when he was appointed a Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He first contested for the presidential slot of the NPP, an off-shot of the Danquah-Busia Tradition in 1992 but lost to Professor Albert Adu Boahen.

However, he won the slot in 1996 and lost the presidential election in the same year to the incumbent former President Jerry John Rawlings.

For 2000, President Kufuor as flag bearer of the NPP won the presidential election against former Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

President Kufuor thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in his leadership and said "I gladly accept the flagbearership of the party for 2004".

He said the endorsement was a mark of satisfaction and truthfulness in his administration adding, "I have not lost any of the enthusiasm and commitment I brought to the office in 2001".

President Kufuor said the good performance of his governance influenced the endorsement of his candidature.

He said his government had achieved "a certain degree of national development" but added that, much more had to be done.

President Kufuor stressed the need for good governance and stressed that the NPP would cause the collapse of the economy through its socio-economic policies as a matter of political expediency or plunge the country into the economic mess before 2001.

He said the government took the right decision on the HIPC initiative at the right time despite criticism and opposition through the media.

President Kufuor said the country had began enjoying benefits from the initiative and in future the benefits would be used to provide water, electricity and other social amenities throughout the country.

President Kufuor said the government had been able to establish law and order by equipping the police with more than 500 vehicles to enhance their performance.

He said the services of the security agencies should be utilised for constructive purposes and not as instruments of terror.

President Kufuor said the government was determined to develop the Western Region, "the basket of the country's economy and as a sign of the government's commitment".

Feeder and major roads were being rehabilitated.

He announced that additional bonus would be paid to cocoa farmers this month to demonstrate the government's concern about the plight of farmers who form the cornerstone of the country's economy to boost their morale.

President Kufuor said the pace of development in the country would be quickened adding that, "NPP has great responsibility to retain power and put Ghana on a better pedestal where it should be".

President Kufuor said the ordinary Ghanaian was now awake about his or her rights and would not surrender them for money.

He appealed to the supporters of the party to continue to rally behind the government, which was committed to use all resources available at its disposal to develop the country.

"It is our moral duty to work to remove the catastrophic left to the country by the NDC", he said.

President Kufuor warned that government would not allow anyone to use any means other than the ballot box to circumvent or short circuit the change of power or government in the country because the party had always believed in democracy and constitutional rule.

He was given a standing ovation after the address.

Mr. Haruna Esseku, National Chairman traced the history of the Danquah-Busia Tradition from the United Gold Coast Convention in 1947 and said it was courage, hard-work, sacrifice and dedication by the members, supporters and sympathise of the party that won the 2000 elections.

He said President Kufuor, as the leader of the party should ensure his monumental impact through good governance to propel the party to rule the country for a long time.

The National Chairman appealed to those interested to be the party's flag bearer in 2008 to begin to emulate the leadership qualities of President Kufuor.

Two minutes silence was observed for departed members, supporters and sympathises of the party.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday elected President John Agyekum Kufuor as its flag bearer for the 2004 elections. The Party endorsed his candidature by a popular acclamation at its Special National Delegates Congress held in Sekondi, to declare President Kufuor's re-election.

This was after the Western Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Reginald Amihere, had declared him as the sole candidate for the position. Before the acclamation, Mr Daniel Botwe, General Secretary of the Party read Article 12, Clause 7, which stipulated that at the Party's National Congress any sole candidate for the position of flag bearer should be endorsed by acclamation.

President Kufuor was the sole candidate who filed his nomination to be the flag bearer of the Party on September 3, last year at the close of nominations, which opened on May 31.

He thus becomes the only politician in Ghana to contest four presidential elections on the ticket of one political party since Independence.

President Kufuor entered politics in 1969 during the Second Republic when he was appointed a Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He first contested for the presidential slot of the NPP, an off-shot of the Danquah-Busia Tradition in 1992 but lost to Professor Albert Adu Boahen.

However, he won the slot in 1996 and lost the presidential election in the same year to the incumbent former President Jerry John Rawlings.

For 2000, President Kufuor as flag bearer of the NPP won the presidential election against former Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

President Kufuor thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in his leadership and said "I gladly accept the flagbearership of the party for 2004".

He said the endorsement was a mark of satisfaction and truthfulness in his administration adding, "I have not lost any of the enthusiasm and commitment I brought to the office in 2001".

President Kufuor said the good performance of his governance influenced the endorsement of his candidature.

He said his government had achieved "a certain degree of national development" but added that, much more had to be done.

President Kufuor stressed the need for good governance and stressed that the NPP would cause the collapse of the economy through its socio-economic policies as a matter of political expediency or plunge the country into the economic mess before 2001.

He said the government took the right decision on the HIPC initiative at the right time despite criticism and opposition through the media.

President Kufuor said the country had began enjoying benefits from the initiative and in future the benefits would be used to provide water, electricity and other social amenities throughout the country.

President Kufuor said the government had been able to establish law and order by equipping the police with more than 500 vehicles to enhance their performance.

He said the services of the security agencies should be utilised for constructive purposes and not as instruments of terror.

President Kufuor said the government was determined to develop the Western Region, "the basket of the country's economy and as a sign of the government's commitment".

Feeder and major roads were being rehabilitated.

He announced that additional bonus would be paid to cocoa farmers this month to demonstrate the government's concern about the plight of farmers who form the cornerstone of the country's economy to boost their morale.

President Kufuor said the pace of development in the country would be quickened adding that, "NPP has great responsibility to retain power and put Ghana on a better pedestal where it should be".

President Kufuor said the ordinary Ghanaian was now awake about his or her rights and would not surrender them for money.

He appealed to the supporters of the party to continue to rally behind the government, which was committed to use all resources available at its disposal to develop the country.

"It is our moral duty to work to remove the catastrophic left to the country by the NDC", he said.

President Kufuor warned that government would not allow anyone to use any means other than the ballot box to circumvent or short circuit the change of power or government in the country because the party had always believed in democracy and constitutional rule.

He was given a standing ovation after the address.

Mr. Haruna Esseku, National Chairman traced the history of the Danquah-Busia Tradition from the United Gold Coast Convention in 1947 and said it was courage, hard-work, sacrifice and dedication by the members, supporters and sympathise of the party that won the 2000 elections.

He said President Kufuor, as the leader of the party should ensure his monumental impact through good governance to propel the party to rule the country for a long time.

The National Chairman appealed to those interested to be the party's flag bearer in 2008 to begin to emulate the leadership qualities of President Kufuor.

Two minutes silence was observed for departed members, supporters and sympathises of the party.