News:
July 15, 2014
One of the contenders for the flagbearership slot of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Francis Addai Nimoh has rejected the assertion that some candidates, including himself, are only in the race as decoys to pave way for others.
The Mampong Constituency Member of Parliament said his trump card is his unifying qualities and contended that it would be wrong for any individual to conclude that he lacks the conviction to pursue his own agenda, and that he is in the race to facilitate other people’s ambition.
“It is highly unfortunate for anyone to think that way, well that is a figment of people’s imagination but I have a conviction, I am in the race to win and I invite everyone to be part of my dream,” he stated in an interview with The Chronicle.
There are suggestions in some quarters that apart from the two leading candidates, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and Mr. John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the five other contenders for the presidential race, namely Mr. Asamoah Boateng, Hon. Addai Nimoh, Joe Ghartey, Kofi Osei Ameyaw and Dr. Kofi Konadu Appraku are only in the race to add up to the numbers and to do the bidding of either of the two candidates.
But Hon. Addai Nimoh, who sees himself as the unifier and the only compromised candidate, being the only contender who has not served under any administration, believes those making that assertion have got it totally wrong. The NPP flagbearer contender says he possesses the requisite qualities and the competence to lead the NPP to victory, stressing on the core values of selflessness, commitment and dedication to duty.
According to him, in pursuit of his vision, he would be driven by the fundamental elements of hard work, honesty, humility, competence, character and care, which he said were basic ingredients required for quality leadership to enable the party to win political power. “I would promote the motto of the NPP -”Freedom in Development”, to be internally appreciated and espoused by the rank and file of the party so that the unity of the party shall be protected as a duty of every member,” he emphasized.
He stated that he stands for unity of purpose and unity in diversity as a prerequisite towards the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections. Hon. Addai Nimoh said his main objective, when given the nod to represent the party and eventually win the elections, would be to enhance agriculture and food security, describing it as the basic factors required to propel the economic agenda of this country.
He said in the abundance of food and progressive agricultural policies would the Ghanaian worker find peace to be able to work and increase productivity. The NPP flagbearer aspirant also mentioned the fight against corruption and nepotism as some of the areas that would be given serious attention under his tenure of leadership.
The aspirant represents Asante Mampong Constituency in Parliament and is the ranking member of the Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology. He holds a first degree in Civil Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and an Executive master’s degree in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
A member of the Ghana Institute of Engineers, {Civil Division}, he has attended several knowledge and skills acquisition courses, seminars and workshops both locally and overseas, which have enhanced his expertise in the civil engineering profession.
He also had a successful career in both private and public sectors at the top level before becoming an MP and worked with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, which offered him the opportunity to traverse the length and breadth of the country, undertaking monitoring and evaluation of road projects.
The Chronicle