Era of Akans Leading NPP Is Over
Outspoken Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, has stated that the era when the flagbearer position in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was a preserve for Akans is over and it is now time for other ethnic groups to also take over the realm and lead the party as flagbearer and ascend the presidential seat.
Mr. Okyere Baafi explained that the NPP is made up of members from different ethnic groups and religions and, therefore, it is appropriate for anyone qualified to lead the party regardless of his or her background.
Speaking during the official launch of “Women Delegates For Bawumia” in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, Mr. Okyere Baafi, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben South, insisted that it is time for others to lead.
“What I want to say is that, with the direction of the country, it is not only one community which makes Ghana. We have Ashantis, we have Ewes, we have Gas, we have Krobos and Bonos in Ghana. Some of all these tribes are members of NPP which means the era where only Akans lead the party is over. Now we need people from all these tribes listed to also lead the party to become president,” he said.
Okyere Baafi, according to a Starrfm.com report, described as deceitful and untenable, claims that Ghana is a Christian-dominated country and therefore a Muslim cannot become president.
“They say Ghana is a Christian country, so some say a Muslim cannot lead the country. This is where I want to speak briefly on. For all those contesting the election, the only one who can be president is called Mr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Among the aspirants the only one who can lead the party into victory, his name is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.”
He continued, “Some Christians who want to deceive you that they are the majority so won’t vote for Muslim must cast their minds to Nigeria. In Nigeria, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. In Senegal, Muslims are majority but the President is a Christian. Listen very well! A country with diverse tribes means everyone could become president in future.”
He said Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has demystified the myth that Muslims cannot fellowship with Christians in a church, and has set a standard that will become a yardstick for every Muslim who wants to be President.
“Christians must listen. For the first time, we are going to have a Muslim as President to serve as standard to every Muslim who dreams to be President. Dr.Bawumia will be the first Muslim to bring that standard because most Muslims don’t enter Churches to fellowship but we have a Muslim (Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia) who attends all-night services, a Muslim who goes to conventions, a Muslim who attends retreats, a Muslim who worships with Christians such a Muslim will become standard.”
He added, “So henceforth, every Muslim who wants to be president will follow the standard. He must be a Muslim who can enter into churches, he should be a Muslim who can attend retreats, that is the paradigm shift brought to Ghana by Dr. Bawumia.
“He is setting a standard for everybody who is a Muslim who wants to become a president, for the first time he has set the standard for all of us. So don’t let anyone deceive you. Dr. Bawumia is well experienced, he has the will-power, he has the expertise, he has knowledge and wisdom to move Ghana forward.”
“Women Delegates for Bawumia” is a new political group within the ruling NPP, made up of female delegates who have declared support for Vice President Dr. MahamuduBawumia to become flagbearer of the party in 2024.
The theme for the Women Delegates for Bawumia is “The Strength of a Woman, the force behind Bawumia.”
The launch was attended by female delegates of the NPP from all the 33 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
The National Coordinator of “Women Delegates for Bawumia,” MaameEsi Davenport, said the aim of the group is to secure 80% female delegates’ votes for Dr. Bawumia.
This, she said, will be done through a vigorous campaign strategy trumpeting the achievements of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government.
She touted the competence of Dr. MahamuduBawumia in leading the country, describing him as an able and exceptional Vice President, whose involvement in politics has changed the face of Ghanaian politics.
She stated that Dr. Bawumia’s experience in both the private and public sectors adds to his credentials as the best presidential material.
She averred that Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in the Akufo Addo-led government’s policy interventions impacting positively the country
MaameEsi Davenport debunked propaganda by opponents that Dr. Bawumia is new in NPP, stating that “he has been with the NPP for decades, worked so hard for the NPP to win power through his economic lectures that exposed the incompetence of the John Mahama-led government” therefore deserves to lead the party.
On women empowerment, she said Dr.Bawumia has demonstrated in many ways his commitment to empowering women to take leadership roles to change society, using his wife, the second lady Samira Bawumia, as an example.
Source: Anchorghana.com
