A presidential aspirant in the opposition New Patriotic Party, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw has withdrawn from the race to elect a flagbearer and endorsed Nana Akufo-Addo as the one to lead the party in the 2016 general elections.
According to him, his decision was in the interest of party unity.
In a statement Thursday morning, Mr Osei-Ameyaw said his decision was also guided by the overwhelming support for Nana Addo as exhibited at the party’s recently held super delegates congress that shortlisted five candidates and rejected two.
The NPP has scheduled October 18, 2014 as the date to elect a flagbearer for the next general elections in 2016.
Those gunning for the position are now Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. Alan Kyerematen and Francis Addai Nimoh.
Another aspirant, Mr Joe Ghartey withdrew from the race last week after the super delegates rejected Stephen Asamoah Boateng and Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku.
Explaining his latest decision further, Mr Osei Ameyaw said, “to go contrary to this overwhelming decision of the majority would be to betray the unity path that the whole party paved for us.”
“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,” the statement said.
“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,” Mr Osei-Ameyaw added.
Listen to Osei Ameyaw announcing his withdrawal
{mp3}osei_ameyaw_withdraw{/mp3}
Below is the full statement
Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you for honouring this invitation at short notice.
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.
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.
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.
The ultimate journey was to be in three phases – 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.
I joined the flagbearership contest with a vision and the goal to foster unity and improve upon the fortunes of the elephant family.
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 – the divided party path and the united party path.
But our founders opted for the united party path because they believed that was the only way to obtain power to form government.
If you look through our historical voyage, from 1969 when the party took the united path under Dr. K.A. Busia’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
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’s administration and also reclaim power from the National Democratic Congress.
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.
That is why on the campaign trail, in all my interactions, deliberations, negotiations and actions, unity resonated.
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.
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 – the Union of Polling Station Executives/Members, otherwise known as UPSEM.
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.
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.
I believe this will further weaken our front in our pursuit for political power
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ghanaians are yearning for change. And the NPP is the change Ghana needs. Unity is the key to our success. I have chosen unity.
From here, I will proceed to Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s residence to congratulate and endorse him to lead the party going into the 2016 general elections.
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.
Let me take this opportunity to also congratulate all the seven contestants who were part of this process.
God bless Ghana
God bless the New Patriotic Party
Thank you.
