NPP need to improve its performance in northern regions

Bolgatanga, Feb. 15, GNA - Mr. Dan Botwe, a former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said urgent strategies must be worked out to improve upon the performance of the party in the three northern regions before the 2008 general election.

He said this could be done through sustained canvassing, commitment and hard work by party functionaries in the constituencies, districts and regions with the active support of District Chief executives. "If, as a party in power, we continue to get only the same number of seats in the Upper East Region as we got when we were in opposition, in spite of all the visible development infrastructure we have provided for the people, then something is definitely not right somewhere and we ought to be able to figure it out," he said.

Mr. Botwe said this in an interaction with journalists after a three-day tour of the region to meet NPP constituency executives and to declare his intention to contest the position of flag-bearer for the party in the 2008 election.

Mr. Botwe urged delegates to look beyond monetary considerations when it comes to deciding who should lead the party in the next election.

"It is impossible to dish out money to everybody who matter, but even if I give each delegate 1,000 dollars and get elected as presidential candidate, I would not feel any sense of responsibility towards any party member if I become President tomorrow because I bought the position with my money and I would do as I please," he said. The one time Information Minister said the best practice would be to conduct clean politics based on merit, candidates' capabilities, principles and sound policy so that solid grounds could be laid for credible leadership and poverty reduction in the communities.

"Having had my share of student activism and exile life in the Rawlings Revolution, having dedicated several years to party work as General Secretary and Director of Operations at headquarters and having sat in cabinet meetings as Information Minister, none of the other aspirants can boast of a greater experience than mine whether in leading a party successfully through an election or in running the affairs of government," Mr. Botwe asserted.

He urged journalists to see their work as an integral part of the national development agenda and to be prepared to stand by the truth no matter the circumstances.