Yesterday, The Statesman spoke to the Chief Patron of the Friends of Nana Akufo-Addo Institute, Victor Newman. The group aims to prepare the ground for the eventual bid of the Foreign Minister and MP for Abuakwa South for the presidency after President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Several party executives and supporters of the New Patriotic Party have often criticised the Foreign Minister for being too late to sprint from the blocks, in the race for the flagbearership. Other presidential aspirants have, for the past year and beyond, had formidable campaign machineries on the ground, pressing home their candidacy into the hearts and minds of probable delegates at the presidential primary.

The formation of the FONAA Institute is the clearest indication so far that the long-awaited campaign structures of the man who came second to Mr Kufuor in 1998 are finally beginning to take shape.

But, Mr Newman is not perturbed: “The race is not for the swift but for those who have endured and are surefooted.”

He explained that the Foreign Minister was not going to allow the pace of his campaign to be determined by others.

“It must mean something that even though he was not out there actively and directly soliciting for support, his name was always being mentioned as the man to beat. This must be seen as clear evidence that he has always been very much on the ground. The NPP is a party with a long and rich memory, with a great sense of gratitude and a discerning mind for quality material; the NPP is amassed with people who appreciate long service, courage, selflessness and solid leadership.”

On the other candidates, the FONAA Chief Patron says, “they are all competent and qualified, and the competition only goes to show how resourced the NPP is. But, Nana Akufo-Addo is a man best described as the complete candidate.” Below are excerpts of the interview with our Political Editor, Chris Lartey: Exclusive interview with Chief Patron of FONAA

Question (Statesman): Why FONAA?

Answer (Victor Newman): This whole business of flagbearership is about leadership and not managers. President Eisenhower of the US defined leadership as:

the ability to get a person to do what you want him/her to do, when you want it done, in a way you want it done, because he/she wants to do it. A leader needs a vision and that vision – once created – must be detailed and in the modern world of specialisation it takes more than the visionary to bring that vision to life. Apart from “The Vision Thing” – knowing what you want to do with the office – a candidate should be able to gather staff who also can afford to take time off work, and muster resources of other individuals; such as endorsers, consultants, specialists, volunteers and organisations, etc, and that is exactly why we (FONAA) are here.

That the Foreign Minister is not around most of the time is NOT a handicap at all, so far as we at FONAA are concerned. He has the men and organisation to do the job for him in his absence and that is what leadership is all about; it is not a one-man show. There are several examples around the world where Foreign Ministers have moved up to become Prime Ministers and Presidents, the latest one on our continent being the new President of Tanzania, Jakayi Kikwete, who was until his election the long serving Foreign Minister in President Mkapa’s government.

Statesman: What is the Mission of FONAA?

NEWMAN: Our primary aim or goal is to ensure Nana Akufo-Addo’s election as the NPP presidential candidate and go on to win both the presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2008 for the New Patriotic Party, handsomely, and succeed President Kufuor.

Statesman: After winning the NPP flagbearership what next?

NEWMAN: Without sounding over-confident but professional, we at FONAA are looking beyond (wining) the nominations. In politics and nationhood building, every period demands a different kind of leadership.

The two terms of President Kufuor will at the end be assessed, first, politically, as a transition between the quasi-military (P)NDC regimes and a purely civilian NPP government, very well managed. Secondly, on the economic front, it would be seen as a period of stabilisation – laid a solid foundation and raised the building to lintel level.

After that, Ghanaians will expect the new leader to take the nation to the next and higher level – put the roof on top of the building, do the interior and landscaping; which requires a mix of different and very high skills – accelerated growth and development which calls for the kind of leadership that will grow indigenous businesses and the economy; and we will have to shift gears, no doubt about that.

Historical analysis has shown that the objectives of most governments – political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and environmental (PESTLE) – are not realised due to the inchoate and fragmented nature of policy formulation, implementation (Achilles heel) and monitoring. Fortunately, President Kufuor has appointed an Advisor for Monitoring and Evaluation at the presidency. Consequently, we expect a lot of data and information to be generated between now and election year 2008, on the successes and failures of government policies, programmes, projects and activities, lessons learned and recommendations at the highest level of government.

Statesman: Based on what has been said so far, can you tell me what the strategic objectives of FONAA then are?

NEWMAN: To realise the aims/goals stated above, FONAA has developed a THINK TANK that gathers and analyzes knowledge. After winning the nomination, the think tank will assist the candidate and party to articulate the vision, define strategic aims and objectives, develop, detail and appraise policy options that would be included in the party’s Manifesto for the 2008 election. Statesman: You have set up these nice and well equipped offices with staff and volunteers, why haven’t you moved out into the field like the other contestants; what are you waiting for?

NEWMAN: Politics is war without bloodshed. My very good friend, a retired Army General, tells me that war is 90 percent preparation and 10 percent fighting while politics is about 95 percent preparation and 5 percent fighting – the election is only one day, most times.

To be successful, one must have his plans (strategic, operational and tactical), financing, organization, communication, logistics, intelligence and command and control in place before the actual “fighting” begins and that is exactly what we at FONAA are doing.

Statesman: Is FONAA for an early congress to elect NPP flagbearer?

NEWMAN: The NPP constitution, as amended, only says the congress must be held not later than eleven months before the next general elections and candidates must have up to three months to campaign. This, in theory, means the primary can be held between I September 2006, or January 2008. We can be selfish and call for an early campaign because we believe our candidate is clearly the most popular person in the party after the President.

But, we do not think that will be in the overriding interest of the government, and by automatic extension, the party. Whilst groups like FONAA and other campaign activists of the various aspirants are on the ground, we believe the party generally must stay focused on the work at hand, which is supporting the Kufuor administration to succeed. But, some of us must be thinking about the future, and that is where we come in – preparing our candidate and our great party to consolidate the party’s deserved supremacy.

Statesman: Sir, how is FONAA funded?

NEWMAN: FONAA is a fully registered and incorporated foundation limited by guarantee. A non-profit organisation funded by friends. When spontaneity ignites the surge for such a movement as FONAA, that same passion drives its funding and functions. For example, last Friday, five constituencies in the Greater Accra Region, Tema East, Tema West, Kpone Katamanso and Ashaiman decided on their own to host a function at FONAA.

It is also extremely encouraging for us that we receive visits from party executives from across the country who are at pains to assure us that Nana Akufo-Addo is their candidate and they are not telling us because they want money from us.

Statesman: What else can you tell us about FONAA? NEWMAN: (a little laughter) My dear Chris, the success of any contest of this nature – military, political, big business, sports, etc. – depends largely on the element of surprise (secrecy, stealth, speed) and firepower. I don’t think we are here to discuss strategy, operations and tactics, are we? But, all I can say for now is that FONAA is off the blocks. Thank you.

Statesman: Mr Newman, on behalf of the Statesman, I would like to thank you for granting me this rare interview ….

NEWMAN: It’s been a pleasure talking to you.