Support Me to Reform NPP – Afriyie Akoto Tells Party Delegates

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has rallied party grassroots to support his bid in the November 4, 2023 presidential candidate selection. He envisions using his leadership to reform the party, preparing it for success in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

Dr. Akoto’s vision is to introduce policies aimed at renewing hope and confidence within the NPP community, ensuring that every member benefits from being part of the party. He empathizes with the frustrations and challenges faced by party members and promises transformative policies to address these concerns.

“I know what has been going on within you – the frustrations and bitterness within you. Some are even worse. I will introduce life-changing policies where each and every member of the party will benefit.”

He firmly believes that he is the right candidate to lead this change and bring the party back to a position of strength. Dr. Akoto expressed his commitment to the welfare of party members and emphasized the importance of their high morale in maintaining the party’s longevity in power.

“So far, I am the only candidate who has demonstrated that attitude and proffered the time honoured solutions, so give me the chance to prove that to you. I am sad about the current situation of the party.”

Dr. Akoto made this appeal when he interacted with over 600 designated NPP delegates belonging to Team Akoto, who are leading his campaign to woo the 40,000 Polling Station Executives in the Greater Accra Region.

The meeting took place at his campaign office in Accra on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

The Cambridge University trained Economist shared his reform agenda, which includes establishing party-owned businesses to finance the party activists at the grassroots level.

According to the former two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso constituency, these party-owned companies would be managed by a holding company that will ensure that party members are gainfully employed by the businesses.

He cited examples from Taiwan and South Africa, where similar approaches have been effective over time. These business ventures, managed by a holding company, would help secure the financial stability of the NPP.

Dr. Akoto, who is Ghana’s longest serving Minister of Food and Agriculture in the 4th Republic told the delegates that their welfare remains paramount and assured them of his unflinching support when he gets their mandate to become the presidential candidate of the NPP and subsequently as President of Ghana.

He said it is only when the morale of the party’s grassroots is high that they would work assiduously to ensue the party stays in power for a very long time, insisting that he is the only candidate who has them at heart and by working together, they will make history by breaking the eight-year governance cycle in the 2024 general elections.

Erick Owusu, a coordinator from the Korle Klottey constituency in contributing to the discourse, thanked Dr. Akoto for identifying the problems confronting the grassroots party executives and finding an antidote to them with his sustainable policy of establishing party-owned businesses to generate income for the party.

“This is what we have been yearning for over the years. It is my prayer that all of us here throw their wait behind you to clinch the flagbearer position and bring the changes we are looking for, “he noted.

Philip Allotey, a coordinator from Bortianor Ngleshi Amanfrom constituency on his part, lauded Dr. Akoto for conducting a clean campaign devoid of insults and personality attacks. He assured Dr. Akoto of vote after having been convinced with his vision for the party and the country and urged his colleagues Electoral Area Coordinators to do same.

The NPP is set to hold its National Delegates Conference on November 4, 2023, to select the presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections, with Dr. Akoto being number 3 on the ballot paper.

Over 210,000 delegates are expected to cast their votes during this event.

Story by Nana kwaku Boffah