Sunyani (B/A) Oct. 5, GNA - Mr. Yaw Addai-Owusu, aspiring to become Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said in Sunyani that the party could not win more seats in the region in the 2004 elections because it failed to implement some basic and fundamental policies.

Launching his bid for the regional chairmanship at a ceremony, he stressed that it was time the party got "a reliable, affable, dedicated and trustworthy member who has stood the test of time and served in a highly executive position to lead it in the region." "With the wind of change blowing in Ghana politics, where almost all political parties, especially the NDC is girding its loins to wrest power from NPP in 2008, the challenges that will confront us will be highly competitive," he added.

Mr. Addai-Owusu, emphasized that the regional NPP required a dynamic leader with the requisite skills and capability to consolidate and further advance the gains chalked by the party in the region.

"This is where I am the single individual, capable enough to handle the baton of chairmanship", he said. The aspirant noted that, "in this current age of scientific politics, with modern trends in political activities; effective strategies, tactics and information gathering are the key requisites and attributes of a good leader".

Mr. Addai-Owusu, giving his track record said he had been with the NPP from 1991 and had been playing a yeoman's role for its sustenance in the region.

An exponent of the Danquah-Busia tradition, he said he hand served actively in all leadership positions as a polling station agent to become the Regional Secretary from 1993 to 2000. Mr. Addai-Owusu added that the polling station pilot programme started in Brong Ahafo and its success made it to be placated throughout the country.

He said he, together with Nana Obiri Boahen, a leading member of the party and Mr. Kwadwo Agyei Darko, MP for Sunyani West, organised the historic "Kume Preko" march in Brong-Ahafo. The aspirant said the successful organization of the selection of the Presidential Candidate for the party in 1998 culminated in the party's victory in the 2000 elections.

Mr. Addai-Owusu recalled that he played a major role in the party's strategic planning towards the 2000 elections. In 1999 at the University of Ghana, Akuafo Hall, he presented a paper and catalogued the weaknesses and strengths of the party in Brong Ahafo and helped the party to grab 14 parliamentary seats and 200,000 presidential votes difference.

Mr. Addai-Owusu said in the 2004 elections the Party only maintained its 14 seats, giving the opportunity to the NDC to snatch three seats.

Mr. J. Y. Manu, member, Council of Elders, Mr. Noah Kwasi Owusu, former chairman, Techiman North Constituency, Mr. Kwaku Agyarko and Nana

Takyi, all of the party in statements expressed their support for the aspirant and urged other members of the party to support him. Mrs. Amma Amponsah, a businesswoman and a leading member of the party presided.