Claims on contributions to party formation NPP`s tribute projects Hackman

AS ALL the aspiring presidential candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) sing and campaigns with messages of their contributions to the formation of the party in 1992, a list issued by the National Council of the party on Wednesday, has revealed that Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, tops the pack in terms of involvement in the formation and registration of the party.

The list, which was meant to recognize and salute its founding members and patrons, did not feature the names of all the other aspirants except Mr. Hackman Agyemang, the outgoing Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing. The outgoing Water Resources Minister was listed among the top three officers of the party who were involved in the processes of registering the party as the national treasurer. The other two were Mr. B. J. da Rocha and leader and Chairman and the late Mr. Joseph Agyenim Boateng as Secretary.

Even though, the contributions and claims of other aspirants to the formation of the party may not be in doubt, it was revealing that the leadership of the NPP did not discount the outgoing Minister’s claim of being one of those who actually was at the forefront of the formation of the party. The NPP firebrand, has been campaigning upon his track record, commitment to party and his physical and material contributions w to the party whenever he tours.

In a related development, Dr. Isaac Omane, a diplomat and Ghana’s former Ambassador to Cuba has declared his unflinching support to the presidential bid of the outgoing Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister.

In an earlier interview with this reporter last week the former Ambassador told the paper that based on his personal assessment of the aspirants, Hackman should be given the mandate to lead the NPP for the 2008 elections.

According to him, though all the other aspirants were equally qualified to lead the NPP Mr. Owusu Agyemang, who is the Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, and one time minister of Foreign Affairs and Interior, was not only dependable but was also a winnable candidate.

“He has rendered an account to his constituents on his stewardship, giving credence to his resolve for accountability and probity,” Dr. Omane said and noted that the aspirant’s association with the United Nations made him a credible person when it comes to corruption.

According to the NPP guru, who has kept silence on matters of the NPP for some time now, “by far, Hackman is outstandingly one of the few MPs whose constituents have benefited from various initiatives in the area of youth and human resource development,” he said adding that, “his foundation schemes identify the potential of the youth and train them to earn a living in poultry, hairdressing and dressmaking among others.”

Dr. Omane whose appeal to the delegates centred on choosing a winnable candidate and an achiever, said, “as we go to congress in December, my plea is for the delegates to look out for a person who is an achiever, and one who is committed to building a formidable superstructure on the foundation laid by the president Kufuor.”

He said Hackman was the only aspirant whose financial and material contributions to the development of the party was not questionable. “I recall the infamous Concordia Ventures case, which had the potential of splitting the NPP, but was effectively put under control by Hackman and the late Acquah.”