…..With Mr. Kofi A. Boateng elected Chairman
Amidst great optimism, determination and exuberance, the Congress of NPP USA/ Canada ended successfully on Saturday September 23, 2006 in Alexandria, Virginia. In a contested election full of intrigue for the Chairman of NPP, North America, Mr. Kofi A. Boateng of ROPAA fame from New York, won by a margin of 64% of the votes cast against his opponent, Mr. Kwaku Agyei-Yeboah of Connecticut.
There were several high points of the two-day Congress that started with a Dinner /Dance on Friday September 22, 2006. The keynote speaker was Mr. Appiah Menka who kept everyone alert with his knowledge of the origins of the Party and lectured the audience on the true meaning of the Danquah/ Busia tradition. He advised that those who have can enjoy their accomplishments only if they lead others to also become propertied – hence the NPP motto: "Development in Freedom".
Four of the prospective NPP Presidential contenders (in alphabetical order) – Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo, Mr. Boakye Agyarko, Dr. Arthur Kennedy and Hon. Hackman Owusu- Agyeman made presentations to position themselves for support. Their speeches ranged from an eloquent poetic rendition, through a listing of promises, to a defense of the current NPP Administration's record. The overall assessment was that the current government has done a remarkable job to develop Ghana but has done a poor job in letting people know about it. As one aspirant put it "we are in office but not in power," and therefore do not use all the instruments of power to the government's full advantage. Adding his voice to the litany of praise and self-examination, Dr. Bawuah Edusei, Ghana's new Ambassador to the United States declared that the worst day of the NPP is better than the best day of the NDC and all Ghanaians have a responsibility to ensure victory for the NPP in 2008. Dr. Agyenim Boateng, Asst. Attorney General of State of Kentucky was the event's moderator and Mr. Matthew Kyeremeh was in attendance on behalf of NPP UK.
On his way to being elected the new NPP North America Chairman, Mr. Kofi A. Boateng delivered a fiery and dramatic speech where he reminded the audience almost all the Presidential hopefuls had not said a word about the implementation of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act and if Ghana's Diaspora does not take matters into their own hands and continue to agitate, they will not vote in 2008. It cannot be taken for granted just because the law has passed, he emphasized. He stated that after all the beautiful speeches, someone has to do the work and he proved that he has plenty of accomplishments to lead the party's members in North America to realize their common visions. We are bound by a common destiny and this is the time for a united action to save our collective soul, he added. To shouts of: "KOFI ROPAA! FORWARD! FORWARD!" the audience erupted in applause and sealed his election as their leader.
Mr. Obiri Boahen, NPP Chairman for Brong Ahafo , deputizing for Mr. Mac Manu the Ghana national NPP Chairman, swore in the new Executive that include: Kwaku Agyei-Yeboah- 1st Vice Chair; Nana Adu-Gyamfi – 2nd Vice Chair; John Nyarku- General Secretary; Michael Sefa- Assistant General Secretary; Abenaa Dapaah- Treasurer; Prince Osei Bonsu- Publicity Officer; Isaac Fosu- Asst. PRO; Kofi Bawuah- National Organizer; Amy Frimpong- Women's Organizer and Kwame Owusu-Ameyaw- Youth Organizer. Mr. Macdonald Agbenyo was elected liaison for Canada.
Mr Boateng noted that the Party must continue its tradition of commitment to diversity in its membership across gender, religious and ethnic lines. He will continue to work hard on this and appreciated the openness of the Congress where all were invited to both attend and run for office. He commended the outgoing Executive and Planning Committee for a very successful congress – the best to date, and promised to continue the ascendancy of NPP in North America. The outgoing NPP North America Executives are: Mohammed Idris- Chairman; and Dr. Samuel Amoako, Richard Nyarno-Coffie, Kwaku Mensah, Abedi Boakye, Joe Manu, Eric Opoku, Asenso Boakye and Dr Afua Sarkodie Mensah. Special mention goes to Mr Kwasi Owusu and Mr. Charles Dankwah of Washington DC who gave significantly of themselves and resources to make this 2006 Congress NPP North America Congress the resounding success that it was. Mr. Boateng effusively thanked his 15-person campaign team led by Nana Amo Adjepong and Hon Kwabena Manu (Pancho) who did the impossible to campaign and win in two days. If you are interested in the new, exciting and dynamic NPP of North America- contact the General Secretary- johnnyarku@yahoo.com (202) 727-0368
