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This article is a replica of the article entitled “You cannot lead the NPP as a Muslim and a Northerner”, which appeared in the online edition of Ghanaweb on January 3, 2021.
The PNP is built on democratic foundations, pillars and structures for effective governance and strongly believes in free market business economics and effective constitutional rule of law. The party’s affliction and triumph have been forged within the crucible of adversity, challenges, and the fiery furnace in the pursuit of individual liberties, social justice, liberties, equity, and equality before the law. The noble ideals of the NPP have always transcended region, religion, gender, social and economic status. These lofty ideals must continue as a shining light to guide the party through the days and nights in Ghana’s political cloud.
The party chose the elephant as a symbol to emphasize its character, philosophy, relationships and government. From One Tribe Apparel, the symbolism of the elephant represents sensitivity, loyalty, wisdom, stability, intelligence, peace, reliability and determination. Elephants are gentle giants, who show great care towards their herd, calves and elders. The elephant takes a long time to get angry and is therefore a reassuring, stable and patient symbol.
Due to its enormous physical form, the elephant can destroy and dominate other animals, but chooses to live in harmony with all. These leadership traits characterized former President HE John Agyekum Kufuor (often referred to as a Gentle Giant) and now characterize current President HE Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. Therefore, it is vitally important that the PNP 2024 flag bearer mimics these elephant character traits to represent the party and lead the nation.
In an article entitled “You cannot lead the NPP as a Muslim and a Northerner”, attributed to a certain Mr. EG Buckman, in which he addressed the question of the election of the NPP standard bearer using a South / North strategy, he argued It would be a mistake introduce Dr. Mahmoud Bawumia as the party’s standard bearer for the 2024 elections because he is a Muslim and a Northerner. This proposal is dangerous, overdue, and cannot and should not guide our party in choosing its standard bearer now or in the future.
This comment must be relegated to the political abyss of ignorance and oblivion. I urge would-be standard bearers to reject any proposal from their base of support that is abhorrent, egregious, divisive, and detrimental to the life, unity, strength, and capacities of the party’s government. I also urge the party to be on guard against any propaganda machine that may be deployed to cause divisions in the party. While I believe that the focus of the party should now be on HE Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo’s second term as president of Ghana, this issue must be addressed strongly and with immediate urgency.
As a member of NPP, I strongly and vehemently reject that this proposal is attributed to Mr. Buckman. The choice of the NPP flagger cannot and should not be limited to regional or sectoral preferences. It should not be based on regional affiliation, religion, gender, economic and / or social status. You cannot cook behind the veil of secrecy and impose yourself on the rank and file of the party. The standard bearer should be chosen based on visionary leadership traits, experience, exposure, knowledge, wisdom, dependability, dependability, and good judgment.
The standard bearer must be an individual with a record of outstanding performance and excellence, who has fought in the trenches and on the dangerous grounds of rigorous campaigning and governance to serve the party and the nation. He must be an individual with deep convictions and a strong belief in the philosophy and standards of the party to lead the country on its march towards socioeconomic prosperity. The standard bearer must have the character, discipline and strength to fight for Ghana and continue to root out the corruption that seeks to destroy Ghana’s economic emancipation with a genuine investment for the salvation of posterity.
The next standard bearer should be an entertainer and champion of the great leadership and outstanding performance of HE President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in the areas of the Free SHS Policy, the Digital Revolution, the Planting for Food Program, the 1D1F Initiative and the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Accra, Ghana, to unleash great prosperity in the nation. In view of the above characteristics, the role of flag bearer must be competed and won on the battlefield of visionary leadership trait, experience, exposure, knowledge, wisdom, dependability, dependability, good judgment, and a record of outstanding performance and excellence.
In pursuit of such a noble ideal, NPP must unfold its big tent framework, great ideas, great policies, and great governance strategies and elect a standard bearer who wins not only for the party but for the country. Therefore, I urge NPP to reject the South / North strategy for selecting its standard bearer and the religious litmus test attributed to Mr. Buckman. The party must continue to elect its leaders based on their understanding of the call of duty and responsibility within the limits of the nation.
As NPP members, we must continue to live the spirit and letter of the National Commitment. “I pledge on my honor to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, my homeland. I pledge to serve Ghana with all my strength and with all my heart. I promise to hold in high esteem our inheritance earned for us through the blood and labor of our parents. And I am committed in everything to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. So help me God. “ The emphasis should always be on Ghana, not the regions! May God continue to guide the party to elect outstanding and capable leaders. May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!
Samuel Frimpong, PhD, Peng.
Robert H. Quenon Professor and Chair
University of Missouri, Rolla, MISSOURI, USA
E-mail: [email protected]
