RE: BAWUMIA TO LEAD NPP? PART 1Q OF 3 BY MAHAMA HARUNA

          I have perused Haruna's insightful article meticulously. This is my response. Haruna has dealt with an issue that I have put forth in my conversation and dialogue with some NPP staunch supporters. The only place where I differ with Haruna's assessment and proposition is this. The leadership of the NPP should not be selected exclusively for the sake of ethnic or tribal diversity. I propose that the leadership of the NPP should be selected on the basis of education and effective qualities of the candidate that includes diversity.

          Therefore, the representatives of the party that are charged with the selection of the flag bearer for the NPP must consider these criteria. Furthermore, because the Akans have dominated the Presidential candidacy of the party since its inception, they have alienated many of the members from the other ethnic and tribal lines. Those of us who are Akans should realize that we were not born with divine mandate to rule Ghana perpetually. Time has come for us to broaden our base and extend our search beyond the confines of the Akan people. For any party or organization to thrive, it should embrace inclusiveness. Inclusiveness promotes a sense of belonging, appreciation, and participation.

          Additionally, the NPP should choose a leader from the "best of the cream" of its membership regardless of ethnicity and tribal affiliation if we want to win the next political elections. Furthermore, time has come for members of the NPP to do introspection to eradicate any sense of superiority and elitism. The candidate of choice should have a winsome personality, be affable, accessible, and humble.

          In this vein, I concur with Haruna's observation and suggestion that in the 2016 election, the NPP select Bawumia as our next candidate for the presidency of Ghana. His age, qualifications, effective leadership qualities, and ethnic background would silence the detractors and the elements that are hostile to the NPP. I suggest that with openness of mind, we should pray, ponder, and contemplate on these matters carefully.

          Finally, I charge MPs from the NPP to represent their constituencies with distinction, humility, integrity, availability, and "a listening ear." If these MPs exude or take the posture of arrogance, indifference, and insensitivity to their constituents, they do so at their own peril in the next election.

          Kennedy Ahenkora Adarkwa, PhD.