General News of Sunday, 17 July 2016

Source: classfmonline.com

Nduom can’t be president in 2016 - Ephson

Ben Ephson Ben Ephson

The flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) does not stand a chance of winning the 2016 presidential election, pollster Ben Ephson has said.

The founder and leader of the PPP, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, was confirmed as the party's flagbearer for this year’s elections in order to begin the party's quest to take over the Flagstaff House and form the next government in January 2017.

But shortly after his endorsement at the third National Convention of the party held at the Accra International Trade Fair Centre, La, Accra, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, Mr Ephson told Class FM’s Ridwan Karim Dini Osman that based on the party’s performance in the last elections, winning the presidency is an uphill task.

“The PPP is one of the smaller parties who are attempting to make a mark but it is going to be difficult,” he noted.

Asked by the reporter whether Dr Nduom’s ambitions will only remain a dream, Mr Ephson said: “For 2016, I do not foresee it. We have not done any polls but the gap of less than 1 per cent to above 40 per cent to even force a run-off, I do not foresee that.”

Meanwhile, Dr Nduom has indicated that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) cannot provide the needed jobs for the people of the country.

The chairperson of Groupe Nduom, which includes over 50 businesses across the globe, argued that the solution to the ailing economy did not lie with the NPP or the NDC.

The business consultant believed he was better placed as an entrepreneur to lead the country towards an economic revolution with abundance of jobs.

“What we need in Ghana today is someone who can change the economy, someone who can bring jobs and if it is jobs, [then] it is not Nana Akufo-Addo the lawyer, it is not Mahama the communicator, it is Papa Kwesi Nduom Edwumawura who will bring the jobs,” he assured.

Dr Nduom assured that the PPP would form an all-inclusive government based on competence and not on party leanings.

“We are committed to running an inclusive government using the best men and women no matter where they come from, no matter what their religion is, no matter their party affiliation. We want the best for Ghana and only the best and selfless will serve in our administration,” said the businessman.