Stop projecting ethnic biases - Addo Kufuor

The major headache for the leadership of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) now is a competent flag bearer capable of leading it to victory in the country’s next general elections slated for December 2008.

This has become necessary as a result of the number of high ranking figures who have expressed interest in the presidential seat. Interestingly, all the presidential aspirants have stated on many political platforms their chances of leading NPP to victory in 2008 when giving the nod.

However, one issue that has become a hard nut to crack is Dr. Addo Kufuor intention to succeed his elder brother, His Excellency president J A Kufuor after his two year term. Due to the lineage between the two, a number of people within the elephant family have expressed displeasure over Dr. Add Kufuor’s decision with a point that the nation’s presidency is not a hierarchy which could be treated as a dynasty.

Speaking to pres in Techiman, Dr. Addo Kufuor charged on those preaching that unfounded political ideology to desist from doing that because the bone of contention that has to be considered is a winnable candidate for the party in 2008 elections. He said, that political gimmick has no role in the party’s constitution and that there is no justification in the superficial definition. He was quoted as saying ‘I have every right to lead the NPP if giving the nod as the next candidate in the forth coming congress. All will agree with me that what is going on is a calculated ploy to thwart my ambition but as a veteran politician I’m not kowtow to it at all rather perceive it as one of the pertinent setbacks in party politics and have to be seen as such by all brain men ’.

He warned those people preaching that ideology to put a stop to that and consider what article 62 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana says. Dr. Addo kufuor reiterated that considering his background it would be unfair to do anything contrary to the party’s constitution as well as the 1992 constitution of Ghana, adding that his decision as aspirant is a very good one after a critical analysis.

Speaking from political point of view he urged all the people who have the right to exercise their franchise in the December congress to see him as a winnable candidate for NPP in the 2008 general elections, there by discrediting that dynasty syndrome. He further entreated the delegates to look up to the party’s constitution as the supreme tool to rely on in times like this.

Dr. Addo Kufuor said his decision is a good one to the benefit of NPP as a political force and the nation at large, since it is in line with Ghana’s constitution it has become necessary for all NPP supporters to rally solidly behind him especially those with voting rights.

According to him if the decision to contest the election contravenes the party laws the national executive would never be tight lipped rather would come out officially and condemned him in the face. The aspirant also explained that his decision does not the change Ghana’s presidential system of governance to a parliamentary one. ‘I would be very grateful if those in NPP stop preaching tribal politics because all key figures in the party have one big vision to retain the presidential seat and not to satisfy a family course’, the minister of defense added.

‘After maintaining tranquility and stability in Ghana as minister of defense I know what is good for the nation and would never act contrary to the laws of the country. I candidly believe in democracy and will always act accordingly’, he explained. He intimated that time has come for followers of NPP to prevent acts that will bread ethnic biases from finding its way to the viable political party capable of retaining the presidential seat in 2008 general polls.