Opare-Hammond withdraws from contest

Page 16, Jan 19, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A FORMER Member of Parliament (MP) for Adenta, Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond, has withdrawn his bid to contest the National Treasurer position of the New Patriotic Party.
Days after filing his nomination to contest the slot, the former MP told the Daily Graphic that he had withdrawn because of his belief that there was the need to promote regional and gender balance at all levels of the party.
He said it was his conviction that the other contestant for the position, who is a female from the Volta Region, should be given the chance to ensure that the region and females were given the chance to be on the national executive of the party.
Mr Opare-Hammond said it was important for the leadership of the party to take steps to ensure regional and gender balance on the national executive.
He thanked party members who encouraged him to contest the position and assured them that he would continue to use his experience in the service of the party, no matter where he found himself.
On the current political terrain, Mr Opare-Hammond told NPP supporters to intensify their campaign, since Ghanaians were looking forward to the party to salvage the country from the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We should not do anything for other people or regions to feel that they have been sidelined. Our actions should portray that we are a true national party,” he added.
He said just after one year in office, it had become clear that Ghanaians had regretted voting the NDC into power and were looking up to the NPP to win the 2012 elections.
“Let us, therefore, not be complacent but start making serious preparations towards the 2012 elections to ensure a resounding victory,” Mr Opare-Hammond said.