Dan Botwe visits Toronto

Hon. Dan Botwe, a NPP Member of Ghana Parliament, Director of NPP Campaign Strategy, Former NPP General Secretary and Former NPP Presidential Aspirant, was invited by NPP’s Canada Chapter for a series of meetings with key NPP members and supporters as well as a Town Hall Meeting with a cross section of the Ghanaian Community, in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, from September 3rd to the 8th, 2009.

Hon. Dan Botwe headlined a well-attended Town Hall Meeting on Friday, September 4th, in Toronto. The host of the event, Mr. Prince Ofosu Sefah in his Opening Remarks said that the recent progress chalked by Ghanaians, which culminated in President Obama choosing Ghana as the first African country, south of the Sahara, to visit, must be sustained and improved and the NPP’s success is a key part of that equation. In his remarks, the Chairman of NPP Canada, Mr. MacDonald Agbenyo, also said Ghanaians in and out of Ghana are also missing the performance of the last NPP government already and are indicating that they cannot wait to bring back NPP kind of progress.

The Vice Chairman of NPP Canada, Mr. Alex Barning, introduced Hon. Botwe as a strategic mind and a builder in the NPP family. He recalled Hon. Botwe’s activism from his University of Science and Technology days, as Secretary of NUGS, his exile in those tyrannical days of Rawlings’ PNDC regime, to his work at the COCOBOD, which he gave up to take a low paying research and organising job at the NPP headquarters. He also specified Hon. Botwe’s work in helping to found the NPP. Not least, he recalled Hon. Botwe’s election as General Secretary of the party and the consequent successes the party chalked in its first election during his time as General Secretary and the strategic changes he brought in to make this happen. He also mentioned his sacrifice to stay on after the NPP came to power in 2001 instead of taking a cabinet offer, to complete his re-organisation of the party election & other machinery. Finally, he mentioned Hon. Botwe’s cabinet appointment in 2005, his respectable run for the NPP nomination in 2007 and his election as a MP for Okere in 2008. Anyhow, Mr. Barning mentioned that it was in his recent capacity as the Director of Campaign Strategy for the NPP that Hon. Botwe was invited by NPP Canada to visit Canada.

Hon. Dan Botwe addressed the crowd and told them that Ghanaians are unhappy with the performance and conduct of the NDC government. So, all party activists and supporters should redouble their efforts toward preparing and planning ahead for success in by-elections before and in the 2012 election itself. Hon. Dan Botwe reminded the audience that the NPP inherited from the NDC inflation around 40%, a highly indebted nation, less than $200 Million in Foreign Reserves, Petroleum supply for only a couple of weeks, deteriorating infrastructure and a Ghana Cedi which was devaluing at an alarming rate.

In 8 years the NPP government more than halved inflation and interest rates, left office with Ghana having about $2 Billion in Foreign Reserves, stabilized the currency at an unprecedented level, resurrected Ghana's universal education system and improved education with the school feeding program and the 'capitation" program. He further mentioned that instead of the then existing cash and carry policy under the P/NDC governments, the NPP introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme, including free maternal care, to significantly improve health care services in the country; increasing life expectancy by almost 3 years!

Hon. Botwe delved into the unparalleled work the NPP government also did in infrastructural development, including stadium constructions/renovations and high quality road construction projects across all regions and corners of the nation, unprecedented peace and promotion of human rights. He said that the NPP is working to improve its fortunes and after the 2012 election, will be coming back because the people will see the clear need for the NPP to come back to power, stronger and better. Hon. Dan Botwe answered many interesting and thoughtful questions for nearly two hours from a cross section of Ghanaians and others living in Toronto who attended.

In attendance was some prominent members of the Ghanaian/Canadian community, including Dr. Yaw Okraku, Dr. George Ansong & his wife Mrs. Ansong, Mr. Chris Akyeampon, Nana Asare, Mr. Joseph Abankwah, Okyeame Dogo, NPP Canada Secretary Sam Darko and the Founder of NPP Canada Chapter, Mr. Ken Ntiamoah. Ms. Dzifa Dogbeson offered a Vote of Thanks to Hon. Botwe, the Planning Committee for the visit and everyone who took the time to attend the event.

While in Canada, Hon. Dan Botwe also visited the Famous Niagara Falls Tourist Area, attended the Odwira Festival organised by the Okuapeman Cultural Association, where he wished the attendees well and commended for upholding an important piece of the cultural heritage of Ghana. He was Co-Special Guest along with the Hon. Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo. He also visited NPP Canada’s Montreal Chapter on Sunday, September 6th, where he headlined an exciting Town Hall Meeting. A barbeque was held in honour of Hon. Dan Botwe on Monday, September 7th (a public holiday) at the house of Nana Asare. It was exceptionally well attended. Before the barbeque, Hon. Botwe also met with some of his constituents. It was also an occasion, which allowed NPP Canada to thank the Consul General Mr. Kwabena Asare, who has been recalled to Ghana. Hon. Botwe thanked everyone for the wonderful reception accorded him throughout his Canada visit and encouraged everyone to work hard for their own success as well as for their families and for Ghana. Ms. Ekua Garbrah made a special commemorative cake for occasion. NPP Canada also presented special commemorative gifts to Hon. Botwe.