In a political campaign, a public endorsement of a candidate is an expression of confidence in that candidate, and encouragement to other people to take note of the candidates' attributes and support him. And where the endorsement is from a leading member of society, it carries a lot of weight.

In an open letter dated 14 January 2014 to Party faithfuls, former deputy minister in the Kufuor Administration, Hon. Daniel Dugan, withdrew his support for the incumbent General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, and declared his support for Yaw Buaben Asamoah, a deputy communications director of the Party.

Hon. Dugan described YB as a simple and approachable person who makes ordinary people feel important. He stated "a CEO who is very free with his driver, office boy and messenger is a CEO who can get the truth about affairs in the company, from the top to the bottom. This is the kind of CEO we need, and we can find it in Yaw Buaben Asamoah."

Hon. Dugan was of the opinion that whenever people are to be made to feel part of a system, there is the need to first demystify it. Yaw Buaben Asamoah was able to demystify the Office of the Vice President when he worked under H.E. Aliu Mahama making that high office a home away from home. With YB as General Secretary, he could make all Party faithful very welcomed at his office and with this, they will have enough confidence to freely discuss their problems. This, according to Hon. Dugan, can unite all the various levels of the Party membership. A General Secretary, who can put people at ease, is one who can lead the Party to face elections more united and ever ready to fight together with one goal. Where each and every one is each and everyone’s keeper. Yaw Buaben Asamoah is the only one to do just that.

He also described YB as a very good communicator who is on top of issues and not arrogant. He commended YB for making the law very simple for the lay man to understand during the presidential election petition proceedings.

Hon. Dugan's endorsement of YB may be described as the first public endorsement of any candidate vying for General Secretary of the Party. The endorsement puts YB, who is vigorously campaigning in the Western Region, far ahead of his competitors.

Unlike his competitors who may be tainted by the perceived factionalism within the Party, Hon. Dugan was of the view that YB has not been infested with the so called factionalism. In fact, YB has over the years demonstrated his willingness to work with everyone in the Party, and it is instructive to note his campaign slogan "Unity To Protect The Ballot".

"With YB in the race, I think here arrives our General Secretary. We need not look beyond Narazeth to find our chosen one, our messiah. Quo dici, dici, to wit, what is said, is said. I vouch for YB." Hon. Dugan concluded.

The open letter is copied below:

Folks,

Is it true as reported that this fine gentleman is in the race for GS?

Well, well, well I stated earlier somewhere that I would still vouch for Sir John even though he had problems. The reason is that he is consistent and through his consistency he took on Atuguba and lost. Some of the negativity in his consistency include things that he said before and after Nana Akomea thought it wise to come out and isolate and insulate NPP. I thought with his consistency we could put him on track and he may perform, and the emphasis is MAY. I said this because that was what I believed, but now, with YB in the race, I think here arrives our General Secretary. We need not look beyond Narazeth. Quo dici, dici, to wit, what is said, is said. I vouch for YB.

Here is someone who is top of all issues and can argue his way wittingly to bring you on board. We all know how he reported proceedings from the SC and it was a big plus. He simplified and demystified the whole court room system and explained to us in plain and simple language all that went on. In the end, we all felt we knew law and spoke law and argued law. This is someone who could make us join the process of Party building and make us stakeholders, shareholders and key holders, making all including the 'least' among us feel a VIP in the Party and carry ourselves with some pride of belonging to NPP.

Here is someone who will never use any word of insult, and lacks complete arrogance, and surely will take his foe and his friend, and carry all on board. Here is someone who will draw you to his side and make you feel very comfortable as if you belonged ages ago.

Here is someone who worked in the Office of the Vice President so cannot be found wanting when dealing with people.

Here is someone who is so simple and approachable that he will make you feel that you are his colleague, socially, academically and in status. Here is someone who will make the ordinary one feel very important.

And as I said he is always top of issues and a true communicator, and not arrogant. Such a personality will attract people to the NPP.

If we want a GS who can paint a more attractive picture of NPP to the rest of Ghana and the world then let us look or go looking no further. Lawyer Yaw Buaben Asamoah is the one. I humbly withdraw my support from elsewhere to back this man, who is full of life and not arrogant, not seen to support one side and jump to the other side later as a matter of convenience, and in fact he is not infested with that factionalism disease. I go for YB anytime, any day. Quo scripti, scripti...what is written, is written...YB for General Secretary.

A CEO who is very free with his driver, office boy and messenger is a CEO who can get the truth about affairs in the company, from the top to the bottom. This is the kind of CEO we need and we can find it in Yaw Buaben Asamoah.

Hon. Daniel Dugan 14/01/14