The Ghanaian Journal

HACKMAN OWUSU-Agyemang, one of the aspirants in the flagbearership race of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that if he becomes president, he would submit himself to the rank and file of the party every fortnight at the party office, in order to bridge the gap between the party and government.

Hon Owusu-Agyemang made the declaration on Tuesday when he officially launched his campaign amid pomp and pageantry at Oyoko in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region.

Hon Owusu-Agyemang who is the Member of Parliament for New Juaben North and the immediate past Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, paid a glowing tribute to footsoldiers of the party, describing them as hardworking and fearless group of people whose selfless commitment and untiring efforts brought the party to power.

“My pledge to you is that at the seat of government, there shall never be a day when a new Pharoah comes that will not know Joseph.

Once in a fortnight I shall be at the party’s headquarters to meet those who would like to see me and I want you to take me on my words,” he promised.

According to him, aspirations and priorities of the party must change in response to new trends, stressing, “We the NPP must renew ourselves as the party of progressive change.

“I believe in the values of the party; they guide my work and efforts; they are my moral compass. The party I hope to lead must have a soul with demonstrated empathy,” he noted.

Hon Owusu-Agyemang averred that his emphasis on the party was simply borne out of the fact that if the centre does not hold, things will definitely fall apart.

“My competence, courage and care for the party have been amply demonstrated. These are the combinations we shall require for the leadership of our party and eventually for the nation.”

Hon Owusu-Agyemang explained that as one of the founding fathers of the party and the first-ever national treasurer, he had stoically stood by the party and greatly helped in the acquisition of the party headquarters, a club house, vehicles for party operation and the resolution of what he described as the “infamous” Corcodia Ventures saga.

“The centrality of the party to our political fortunes has never been lost on me and it would never be lost on me because I know that it is a party that gives birth to any government, any president and any minister,” he told the large gathering that comprised party executives and faithful from all over the country, particularly the Eastern Region.

He appealed to party members and delegates to elect someone who is experienced and has tested leadership qualities.

“My credentials assumed gargantuan proportions because I am a true party man with global working experience to deal with challenges of our time.”

Outlining his vision for the nation, Hon Owusu-Agyemang said he would strengthen the foundation of Ghana’s democracy and improve on the effectiveness of state institutions like the civil service, the police, the army and financial institutions.

He said he would help increase productivity as well as the income of farmers and provide better incentives to expand businesses and diversify the economy by investing heavily in transport, telecommunications and energy sectors.

“I will pursue an aggressive job creation programme through the private sector,” he stated, adding that he would encourage the manufacturing and assembling of items and goods in the country.

“Government must create opportunity and the people’s responsibility is to make the most of it. Under my watch as president we shall encourage the system of mentor protégé to grow a lot of large scale businesses in the country.

“I believe we need a new kind of leadership absolutely committed and impatient for change; a leadership that knows how to re-invent government to help solve the real problems of the people and that I know I am the one to provide that dynamic, purposeful leadership that will rekindle the hope and aspirations of Ghanaians.”

Motivational speaker Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, Chief Executive Officer of The Future Leaders Group, who introduced Hon Owusu-Agyemang to the cheering crowd, described him as the man with eagle’s eyes who wants what is best for the nation.

Chairman of the occasion, Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng who is the Eastern Regional chairman of the party, advised the presidential aspirants to conduct a clean campaign because the race was a family contest.

He said whoever wins must be readily supported by all the other aspirants since it was only one person who would eventually get the presidential ticket.

From Thomas Fosu Jnr, Oyoko/Daily Guide