Professor Mike Oquaye, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Thursday, said Nana Akufo-Addo has what it takes to take the country to the next level. He said the NPP flagbearer has a clear well-chalked programme for the socio-economic transformation of Ghana.

He urged Ghanaians to make serious mentoring a core policy by recognizing young talents, and grooming them actively for leadership.

He said Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia mentored former President John Agyekum Kufuor, then a youth, by appointing him a Deputy Foreign Minister, who later in life became president, and his regime displayed an excellent record of good governance.

Prof. Oquaye made the remark at a forum in Accra, organized by the NPP as part of activities marking the party’s 21st anniversary.

The forum on the theme: “The NPP and the Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition’s contribution to the establishment and deepening of the democratic culture and practice in Ghana,” was attended by former President Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, NPP Chairman, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP vice presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, Madam Samia Yaba Nkrumah, Chairman of the Convention People’s Party, NPP parliamentarians, and other leading party figures.

Prof. Oquaye observed that the participation of the youth in the selective processes of political parties was a democratic issue of great concern.

He said the NPP’s success story brought more youth into the fold of decision-making, adding that the impact of the recent development in the NPP on youth participation in internal party politicking was instructive.

He said as we await the verdict of the Supreme Court before any further analysis, once more the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition had shown its capacity to dissect the most complicated electoral intrigues and helped the deepening of democracy in Ghana.

“If God should favourably smile on the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, our candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo will quickly, effectively and honestly, continue with the good works of President Kufour.

“Nana Akufo-Addo has a clear well-chalked programme for the socio-economic transformation of Ghana to take our dear nation to the next level,” he stated.

Prof. Oquaye paid glowing tribute to Dr J. B. Danquah, Prof Busia and Chief Simon Diedong Dombo, for their pioneering role in the establishment of their tradition; declaring that: “Our founding fathers were liberal-minded, peaceful people, they were not bomb throwers”.

He lauded the late Prof. Adu Boahen for breaking the culture of silence in the country subsequent to the country’s return to the fourth republican constitution.

He said: “Whenever the NPP cries ‘Development in Freedom’ we resound the innate catalyst, which releases the best attributes of humankind for development.”

Prof. Oquaye in his presentation gave a panoramic view of the political history of Ghana in the pre-and-post independent eras.