‘Osafo Maafo Will Be Next President’

TEN CONSTITUENCY executives and foot soldiers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from Prestea–Huni Valley, Amenfi East, Amenfi West, Suaman and Aowin constituencies in the Western region have registered their unflinching support for Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, an aspiring presidential candidate of the party.

The executives who pleaded anonymity stated that the time was ripe for the NPP to choose a visionary, credible and winsome candidate for the 2008 general

elections, adding that the candidate must also be someone who could beat Professor John Evans Atta Mills, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with ease.

To this end, a spokesman for the group intimated that they would go for Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, as he is a “One touch man, a man of the people and a man of the moment”.

He said Osafo Maafo's recent tour to the Western region had sent shivers down the spine of the other NPP presidential aspirants, because he was mobbed in every constituency or town he visited, with party executives and members wanting more of his matured, down-to-earth and thought-provoking campaign message.

The spokesman said though the NPP presidential aspirant came to Enchi unannounced, the reception accorded him and the rush by party members to catch a glimpse of him was beyond description.

He said members were most impressed by Osafo Maafo's voluntary visit to the recent flood victims and donation of ¢10 million to a fund the assembly had created.

He noted that there was stampede at Enchi, Dadieso, Wassa Akropong and Bogoso as party members, executives and supporters of Osafo Maafo wanted to carry him shoulder high, but being simple and humble, Osafo Maafo refused.

In a telephone chat with Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, he confirmed that the support base nationwide had always been overwhelming, adding, “but the best actually comes from the west”.

He reiterated that “the NPP has one good job to do by handing over power to ourselves in the 2008 general elections so as to ensure a one touch victory. This is because no second round favours any incumbent government in this country”.

He therefore made it clear that the party needed a candidate of his caliber who was highly marketable and could win majority of the floating votes in the 2008 general elections, stressing that he was the right person as his track record and past performance in government and all spheres of life had proved so.

From Sam Mark Essien, Takoradi