Prof Frimpong Boateng calls for NPP flagbearer aspirants' debate

Prof. Frimpong Boateng         Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, one of the flagbearer aspirants of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Tuesday challenged the other four aspirants to a debate. "As part of efforts to deepen and consolidate internal democracy within the NPP and promote issue-based campaigning, I call on the National Executives of the party to organise three 'Flagbearer Aspirants' Debates' in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale," he said, Prof Frimpong-Boateng who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, said the debate would offer a single platform for the five contestants to dialogue and discuss their visions, policies and programmes to enable the delegates to make an informed choice as to who should lead the party to Elections 2012. The other aspirants are Mr Isaac Osei, Member of Parliament (MP) for Subin and Ghana's former Ambassador to the United Kingdom; Mr John Kwame Koduah, a Kumasi based legal practitioner; Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP's Presidential candidate in the 2008 election. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that all the five aspirants were fairly known to the delegates, but what was not so well known was what they stood for and how they intended to lead the NPP to victory if elected. The former Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital said the Flagbearer Debate will therefore introduce an issue-driven approach and dimension to the campaign which would enable the campaign to move away from one of personalities, acrimony, insults and attacks to an issue-based campaign. He noted that Presidential aspirants' debate had become part of Ghana's democratic culture and a platform for assessing candidates on their capabilities and track record of accomplishment. "NPP, therefore, should create a platform for delegates to assess the candidates and vote for a leader with a vision, track record of accomplishment, humility and with a reputation to attract floating voters. "No political party in Ghana can win Presidential elections based on its supporters; we need floating voters.floating voters vote not based on a party's ideology but the candidates unblemished reputation both in public and in private life, whilst minority parties support a party based on the candidate's credibility," Prof Frimpong Boateng stated. He called on the delegates to examine all the candidates to ensure that a flagbearer who was capable of regaining power for the party was elected. "We don't need a local champion who cannot stand against incumbency", he declared. Source: GNA