(2nd right) Joe Ghartey receives nomination forms
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Joe Ghartey, yesterday took a second step in his bid to lead the governing party as its presidential candidate in the 2024 general elections.
A delegation, comprising his campaign team members, picked up nomination forms on his behalf at the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.
Addressing the media at Osu Presbyterian School where he was handed over the nomination forms, Mr Ghartey expressed his readiness to lead the NPP to victory, saying “the leadership of our time will lead to development”.
He stressed that the leadership in Ghana must be seen as transformational rather than transitional.
“It is not just a matter of the fact that President Akufo-Addo is leaving and somebody must come and hold the fort or be in his shoes. We need an experienced, a competent and prayerful leader to wear his shoes so that Ghana will be better off than what we are seeing today,” Mr Ghartey stated.
Narrative
The former of Minister Railways Development indicated that if given the nod to lead the NPP, and subsequently becomes President, he would bring a new direction and leadership that will restore confidence in the country.
He also promised to strengthen the economy and change the narrative of Ghana’s politics, assuring that he will “fight for Ghana until it becomes where the citizenry want it to be”.
“Although we are not perfect and it’s politics of ideas, the energy that we use to fight ourselves every morning, afternoon and evening on radio or TV stations should be channelled to how we can bring the country under one umbrella to propel it to greater heights. We don’t need a divided country. Let’s remember that Ghana needs a government that will not be based on transition but transformation,” he reiterated.
The Essikado-Ketan MP praised President Akufo-Addo for doing exploits in terms of development across all sectors of the economy.
He also commended the President for his leadership style and initiatives to make Ghanaians comfortable.
“Despite the challenges facing Ghana’s economy, the government is still on track to deliver to Ghanaians and move them to the highest levels in growth and development,” he stressed.
Mr Ghartey touched on achievements of the Akufo-Addo-led administration like the Free Senior High School, One District, One Factory, One Village, One Dam and Planting for Food and Jobs, road infrastructure development as some of the major policies and programmes propelling the country to the next level.
He promised to run a lean government, if given the opportunity as President of Ghana.
According to him, his experience in the political space convinces him that any government can better manage the resources of the country with at most 60 Ministers.
Experience
Mr Ghartey presented a strong case for himself, highlighting his experience in law practice, Parliament and infrastructure development.
He noted that the worth of experience gathered over the years had prepared him for the position of President.
The number of potential flagbearer aspirants in the NPP presidential nomination now stands at 10.
These include former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; and a former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, have all picked forms to contest.
Others are former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko; former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; Energy Analyst, Kwadwo Poku; former Minister of State, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and MP for Assin Central ,Kennedy Agyapong.
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