Hackman: NPP is not for sale

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North constituency and NPP presidential aspirant for the 2008 general elections, Hackman Kwame Owusu-Agyemang on Monday reiterated that the New Patriotic Party is not for sale, emphasising that it has never been the party's tradition for people to use money to influence delegates, and this was not the time to let such a culture creep into the party's tenets.

"It is God who elects leaders," he said, declaring "we are looking for competence and capabilities." "If we are looking for a flagbearer, we should look for true party man who has competitive track record," he added.

Addressing constituency executives and opinion leaders drawn from 12 constituencies in the Eastern Region at the Appenteng Hall at Koforidua, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said competence, dedication and selflessness cannot be bought, they are attributes that are acquired through hard work.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang said NPP is not looking for a degree holder and or people who control money, but the one who would be able to deliver the goods, citing the late Krobo Edusei popularly called "Moke" who had no formal education but became an enviable leader and Minister in the CPP government under President Nkrumah.

He told the constituency executive, "I, Hackman have proved to be a very competent, capable and dedicated leader," pointing to his contribution and service to the party and as a Cabinet Minister in the Kufuor administration.

He promised that his government would fight corruption and create genuine millionaires in this country, saying "Ghana belongs to Ghanaians and millionaires must come from Ghana ad stay in Ghana."

He said he would grow Ghanaian contractors and Ghanaian businessmen and it was for this reason that he as Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing engaged only Ghanaian contractors to undertake the housing projects in the country.

"Don't be satisfied with our eight years in office as a government, we must be in office for 40 years. Give me the mantle and I will do it," Mr Owusu-Agyemang told the party members.