Accra, Oct. 19, GNA- Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday, commended Papa Owusu-Ankomah, aspiring flag bearer of the party for exhibiting political maturity in his pronouncements.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah had earlier stated that in the unlikely event of losing the flag bearer slot at the December 22, Special National Delegates Congress, he would support the winner without any inhibition. Nana Ohene Ntow responded: "this is a sign of a good leader wealthy of emulation and assured the aspirants that the National Executives would work to ensure transparency as well as offering courtesies to all without any discrimination.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah described the event as a triumphant day for the NPP as it shows that the party is matured, which is a healthy development on the Ghanaian political scene.

He pledged to lead a cohesive NPP to unite Ghana behind a transformational agenda of exemplary leadership and excellence in all spheres of national life' "I am taking the first official steps in fulfillment of that solemn covenant with the NPP and the people of Ghana.

"I am the first credible candidate from beyond the traditional strongholds of the NPP, namely the Ashanti and Eastern regions...am going to be Ghana's first president born immediately after independence, and as such carry a very keen understanding of our national history." Papa Owusu-Ankomah said he represent a future-oriented and dynamic generation ready to make a quantum leap forward into transformed Ghana, "I represent meritocracy that is fully in favour of competence and the ability to attain goals over everything else."

According to the Aspirant the success and phenomenal growth of the NPP in both the Western and Central regions were mainly due to his contribution.

The aspirant, who is the Member of Parliament for Sekondi outlined a six-point objective, which according to him would serve as a yardstick to transform the country under the Presidency of Papa Owusu-Ankomah. The transformation yardsticks include, creating a competitive private sector, enhancing a decentralized government that would centre on citizen, service oriented, and a partner to the private sector and empower people who scored high on the global human development indexes. Papa Owusu-Ankomah urged the delegates to vote for him, to ensure that the party positioned itself to win Elections 2008 and continue the transformation of the nation.