The top presidential aspirant who is well positioned to clinch the presidential nod of the NPP has stated that he always been faithful to Ghanaians and the NPP, most especially in a period when he was mostly needed. He stressed that the confidence Ghanaians, the floating voters and the NPP delegates have reposed in him will never go down the drain. He maintained that Ghanaians know him for his ability to deliver on his promises and cause positive change in their lives, a reason why he was nicknamed ?oyeadeeyie?. He was very confident that the NPP delegates will give him the nod because they want to present to Ghanaians what Ghanaians are really looking for. He further elucidated that it is always important for the delegates and the NPP to remember that the party?s victory would be assured only if they select a flagbearer who has the confidence of Ghanaians and that he has always maintained the confidence of Ghanaians as the one who delivers on his promises and works across the aisle. He further stated that Ghanaians can always trust him for the maintenance of a continual peaceful atmosphere in Ghana and accelerated economic prosperity.

Honourable yaw Osafo-Maafo has always exhibited the qualities of a visionary leader. His visionary acumen is showcased in his boldness, optimism, hard work, confidence, firmness and gentility. As the first Finance Minister of the Kufour?s administration, the weak macro-economic indicators which he inherited from the NDC was a major challenge to Ghanaians, floating voters, the NPP and the Kufour?s administration. Investors hope in the economy had been dissipated. Import and export was not much lucrative due to a blown-out inflation and the depreciation of the cedi. Ghana ?s debt owed to international financial institutions was soaring. As confident as Honourable Osafo-Maafo is, he stepped up to the challenge, promised Ghanaians of a resilient economy and he turned the economy around within less than four years.

Secondly, as Ghana opted for the HIPIC initiative, Ghanaians got petrified with fear of getting stuck in the HIPIC Programme but as he always fosters hope, Hon. Osafo-Maafo promised to lead Ghana through the Programme to a quicker completion point. He eradicated the fear of Ghanaians by leading Ghana to a successful completion point within less than three years as opposed the other African countries who reached a completion point within four years. His brilliant performance led Ghana as one of the first countries to qualify for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)

At a point in time in the historical arena of Ghana , people began to harbour the view that Ghana black stars were destined never to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Tournament due to enormous unsuccessful attempts. All hope was lost. However, as a newly appointed Minister of Education, Youth & Sports, he promised to resuscitate Ghana ?s hope in Soccer and he fulfilled his promised by leading Ghana to a historic FIFA World Cup Tournament.

At a time when Ghanaians were so dejected about the soaring interest rate, Hon. Osafo-Maafo?s diligence in the Finance Ministry let to a Reduction in the average lending rates from 47.5% to 29.5% and the Bank of Ghana Prime Rate from 24.5% in 2002 to 18.5% in July 2004.

When the Ghanaian workers were crying for wage increment, he fought hard for them. As a reflection of the general improvement of the economy. The daily national minimum wage increased between 2001 and 2004 by 267% (4,200 Cedis to 11,200) and by dollar terms by 70%. Furthermore, when the going become tougher for the NPP, Hon Yaw Osafo-Maafo stood tall for the NPP during the ?dark ages? to a point of losing his managerial job. He has always placed Ghana first. Importantly, when Ghanaians needed him so badly to strengthen the suffering cedi, he stepped up to the challenge. He stabilized the domestic currency after a period of significant depreciation against all major currencies. Depreciation against the dollar which was 49.6% in 2000 was slashed down to just 2.17% by July 2004. Ghana needs the next President who will think outside the box in accelerating economic growth and economic development in line with today?s globalization. The economic prosperity of our country needs to be felt by all Ghanaians and Hon. Osafo-Maafo is the one who turned the economy from the doldrums of despair to a commanding confidence crystallized in the most resilience ever in the history of our country. Ghana is marching forward and there is no need to retrograde or lag behind. Osafo-Maafo is once and again ready to transform Ghana ?s economy into the pocket of ordinary Ghanaians.

As Ghanaians cry for economic acceleration, transformation of the economy into wealth creation for the ordinary Ghanaians, improvement in our medical services at all levels, most especially at the district levels and the rural areas, integration of the rural setup to the urban areas, regional interconnectivity rail line and transport systems, a more reliable energy system, then they are calling for the come back of Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo as the ultimate flag bearer of the NPP who will lead NPP and Ghana to victory in the 2008 General Elections.

Hon. Osafo-Maafo is a proven performer who has proven to Ghanaians beyond all doubts that in his hands Ghana and its economy is safe. The demonstration of his ability to manage an enterprise has been echoed by Ghanaians by nicknaming him ?Oyeadeayie?; meaning a mender.

It is our optimism that come 22nd of December 2007, the NPP delegates will repose the same confidence Ghanaians have anchored in Hon. Osafo-Maafo by electing him as the flagbearer of the NPP for the acceleration of development at all levels and wealth creation for the good people of Ghana . That is how we can build a better Ghana for ourselves and the future generation.

Written by:

Francis Opoku Asante

The writer is a Medical Insurance Specialist (UAT/Clinical Operations), Bed.POPLE, Currently pursuing Masters of Science in Accountancy (MSA), Former SRC President (University of Cape Coast) E-mail :nanapoku_2007@yahoo.com