One of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopefuls, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, has withdrawn from the race for the party\u2019s presidential ticket.<\/p>\n
Mr.Osei-Ameyaw is one of the five candidates who made it to the final round of the contest for the presidential slot.<\/p>\n
According to the MP for Asuogyaman, he is withdrawing from the contest to ensure unity in the party.<\/p>\n
Mr. Osei-Ameyaw’s withdrawal comes after the MP for Essikado, Joe Ghartey, dropped out of the contest also to ensure unity in the party.<\/p>\n
His withdrawal leaves only three candidates\u00a0 to compete for the presidential ticket at the NPP’s October congress.<\/p>\n
He expressed his desire to support Akufo-Addo in his campaign to “wrest power from the [National Democratic Congress] NDC”<\/p>\n
The three candidates who will be contesting in October are the party’s 2012 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, the MP for Asante Mampong, Francis Addai Nimo and former Trades Minister, Alan Kyerematen.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”DYppXcfSpL8mKBsQz68PETBXOuisZJNJ”]There have been calls on all the other candidates to step down and allow Nana Addo, who won majority of votes cast at the party’s Super Delegates Congress to go unopposed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Below is the full statement from Kofi Osei-Ameyaw<\/p>\n
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. KOFI OSEI-AMEYAW, FLAGBEARER HOPEFUL OF THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY ON HIS POLITICAL CAREER; AHEAD OF\u00a0OCTOBER 18, 2014<\/b><\/p>\n
Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you for honouring this invitation at short notice.<\/p>\n
Not so long ago, I stepped up and joined six other candidates to apply to contest for the flagbearership position of the New Patriotic Party, when nominations were opened.<\/p>\n
Having met all the requirements for the leadership position I was seeking and having been cleared and asked to proceed towards being shortlisted through (National Council, National Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Regional Executive Officers and Constituency Chairpersons) the Super Delegates Conference.<\/p>\n
Before I started this journey, I sought divine guidance and direction from the Almighty God. I also checked my personal background, my life experience as a legislator, a lawyer, a diplomat, international relations expert, politician and a businessman.<\/p>\n
The ultimate journey was to be in three phases \u2013 Phase one being the shortlisting of five out of the seven candidates; phase two being the Presidential Primary and phase three being the national elections.<\/p>\n
I joined the flagbearership contest with a vision and the goal to foster unity and improve upon the fortunes of the elephant family.<\/p>\n
The New Patriotic Party, as you all know was formed out of the United Party and its tradition. In building the tradition our founding fathers were confronted with two choices \u2013 the divided party path and the united party path.<\/p>\n
But our founders opted for the united party path because they believed that was the only way to obtain power to form government.<\/p>\n
If you look through our historical voyage, from 1969 when the party took the united path under Dr. K.A. Busia\u2019s Progress Party, we won power and through that we were able to implement policies that uplifted the standard and wellbeing of the Ghanaian citizenry considerably.<\/p>\n
Similarly, in 2000 and 2004, when the party again took the united party path, our front was as solid as a rock and through this we won power after over three decades in the political wilderness.<\/p>\n
We were able to implement policies that brought about the National Health Insurance Scheme, National Youth Employment Program, Capitation grant, Free Maternal Health Care, Metro Mass Transport Services, MASLOC and also finding oil for the nation.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, when the party took the divided path, power eluded us and Ghanaians did not forgive us for choosing such a stance. Under the divided leadership of Victor Owusu and William Ofori Atta, we lost power.<\/p>\n
Again, in 2008 and 2012, when our front was perceived as divided, we were unable to win power to continue with the good work of President Kufuor\u2019s administration and also reclaim power from the National Democratic Congress.<\/p>\n
These historical antecedents should guide all New Patriotic Party members to understand that it is only a united party path that would win us the 2016 elections.<\/p>\n
That is why on the campaign trail, in all my interactions, deliberations, negotiations and actions, unity resonated.<\/p>\n
It is a fact that the great Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition has always been unstoppable, almost like a juggernaut, when it presented a united party front.<\/p>\n
With a united party at the core of my heart, I did not hesitate to invest both human and material resources to rebuild our grassroots \u2013 the Union of Polling Station Executives\/Members, otherwise known as UPSEM.<\/p>\n
Having left my footprints at the grassroots I was, therefore, not surprised when the Super Delegates shortlisted me among the five candidates for the October showdown.<\/p>\n
Looking at the second phase of the journey and recognizing that it is only through a united front that would put us on a clear path towards the third phase of the competition, to take my own path would be to proceed on the divided path.<\/p>\n
I believe this will further weaken our front in our pursuit for political power<\/p>\n
Given that the Super delegates may have been guided by the opinions of the 141,000 delegates before deciding to opt for a candidate with overwhelming support, the first phase of the process may well be a reflection of the bigger Electoral College, come October 18, 2014.<\/p>\n
And so, to go contrary to this overwhelming decision of the majority would be to betray the unity path that the whole party paved for us.<\/p>\n
With this, I have no other choice than to look at the interest of the party than at my own interest. I have, therefore, after consultation and reflection and spiritual introspection, decided to take the united party path rather than the divided party path towards the next phase of the journey.<\/p>\n
I am, therefore, withdrawing from the race to lend my support to the united movement to ensure that our great party stays on the united path to wrest power from the National Democratic Congress.<\/p>\n
Ghanaians are yearning for change. And the NPP is the change Ghana needs. Unity is the key to our success. I have chosen unity.<\/p>\n
From here, I will proceed to Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo\u2019s residence to congratulate and endorse him to lead the party going into the 2016 general elections.<\/p>\n
I am more than prepared to play a role in his campaign in our quest for political power in 2016 and urge all my supporters to do same.<\/p>\n
Let me take this opportunity to also congratulate all the seven contestants who were part of this process.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
God bless Ghana<\/p>\n
God bless the New Patriotic Party<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
By: Nana Ama Agyemang Asante\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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One of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopefuls, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, has withdrawn from the race for the party\u2019s presidential ticket. Mr.Osei-Ameyaw is one of the five candidates who made it to the final round of the contest for the presidential slot. According to the MP for Asuogyaman, he is withdrawing from the contest to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":30544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[43,38],"yoast_head":"\n