A political activist and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Ali Suraj, has urged delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to follow history, competence, achievements, dedication and loyalty when making a choice for flagbearer.
Ali Suraj, who is also a former Organizer of the New Patriotic Party in U.S., pleaded with delegates to consider voting for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the next flagbearer of the party in the impending delegates’ conference.
According to him, looking at the global economy, digitalisation has taken a centre stage and that the NPP needs someone with the requisite credentials to lead Ghana towards the digitalisation drive to catch pace with the digital world
He said: “History has it that the Danquah – Dombo – Busia tradition is the oldest political tradition in Ghana that dates as far back 1947, Chief Dombo represented the Northern territories through the Northern Peoples Party (NPP). Busia, who hails from Wenchi in the Ahafo Region was the prime minister from 1969 to 1972 and helped to restore civilian government following military rule, has been fully represented by the John Agyekum Kuffour administration and now J.B Danquah is fully represented by this current administration (President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo).”
In an interview with this paper over the weekend, Ali Suraj averred that the time has come for the NPP to rally behind Dr Bawumia who represents Dombo and who many have said to be the most active Vice President since independence.
“The 2008 election petition is evidence that Dr Bawumia needs to be rewarded for his contribution when the party needs Men to represent them, he was able to distinguish himself during the Supreme Court case and from then he became the darling boy of the grassroots of the party,” he said.
He urged delegates to elect someone who is a unifier and multilingual, and who can bring unity among the rank and file of the party.
“What amazes me is his relationship with the Christian community and how well he relates with them. We need a leader who is tolerant and can bring all sects under one umbrella to move as a united nation devoid of any ethnic disagreements. His leadership role cannot be questioned and I think when given the opportunity he will deliver because he is the only person who can bring all the candidates together at the end of the primaries due to his leadership skills as a unifier,” he said.
He listed some of the policies implemented by Dr Bawumia which he believes deserve commendation, stressing that Dr Bawumia must be considered when delegates are making a choice.
“The drones delivery, digitization, gold for oil, paperless system, GhanaCard, and digital address system among others,” he said.