``Sir John`` launches bid for NPP General Secretary … Promises forward moving leadership

A KUMASI-based legal practitioner and a leading member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Kumasi, Mr. John Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, has stressed the need for a more dedicated and committed leadership for the party, which has unfortunately found itself in opposition.

Mr. Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, says the current position of the party requires someone with the spirit and urgency to work under pressure as General Secretary, and not an “armchair” or executive-styled leader.

According to him, the party was at a critical period of its lifecycle, and that any form of laxity must be totally avoided, if the party wants to regain power in 2012.

The one-time right-hand man of the former Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, who also doubled as a member of the NPP campaign team during the 2008 elections, was speaking at the Georgia Hotel in Kumasi last Sunday, where he officially launched his bid to contest for the General Secretary position of the party.

The legal practitioner has therefore become the second aspirant to officially declare his intention for the position, after the former MP for Berekum, Capt. Nkrabeah Effah Dartey (rtd).

At the colourful occasion, which was attended by NPP big shots, including Members of Parliament and founding members of the party, Sir John said the party needed someone who would strengthen the base, to ensure that a broader base of party structures and the membership contribute to the building of the party, rather than leaving it to only a few during critical moments.

Among the party stalwarts who graced the occasion, included a founding member of the party, Mr. Akenten Appiah Menkah, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the, Hon. Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, MP for Manhyia, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, MP Old Tafo, Mr. Akwasi Osei Adjei, former Foreign Minister, and a host of other MPs in the region.

According to Sir John, a recent research indicates that the NPP lost the 2008 elections due to its inability to strengthen structures at both the constituency and polling station levels, indicating that the party ought to elect someone who has a serious and solemn attitude, with dynamic and visionary leadership qualities, to coordinate the affairs of the party.

He said, when voted by delegates as the next General Secretary, he would bring his vast wealth of political experience to bear on the direction and fortunes of the party nationally, adding, “I would work to form and ensure effective collaboration with party members and executives at local levels, to ensure a resounding victory for the NPP.”

He noted that having helped and overseen the party across the country establish itself on the media front, by constantly bombarding the NDC in areas where they go wrong, he was of the belief that his experience in campaigning through the complex media landmines, had given him the needed impetus to lead the party in its nationwide campaign for the next elections.

“I am dynamic, exciting and an engaging fellow, as well as a dyed-in-the-wool apostle of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition and a true footsoldier amongst all the contestants, besides this, I am also accommodating, and listen carefully to people, even under pressure. These are the very essential attributes of a prospective General Secretary.”

The NPP General Secretary-hopeful further pledged to establish research and intelligent units across the country, to handle information management. On his part, Mr. Appiah Menkah, who chaired the occasion, described Mr. Owusu Afriyie as a selfless and hardworking son of the party, who has served the party with all his strength and heart.

He therefore called on all delegates to vote for him during the national congress.

All the members of parliament who graced the occasion, alongside other high profile personalities, endorsed the candidature of the Kumasi-based legal practitioner, and described his decision as one which would give a sense of belonging to supporters of the party in the Ashanti Region.