The founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, will not contest this year’s presidential election due to ill health.
He explained that he had not been in the best state of health since 2017.
In an interview with Graphic Online’s Albert K. Salia from his base in the United States of America (USA), Dr Nduom said his current state and other challenges did not leave time for politics.
He was, however, convinced that the PPP had a new set of leaders to make an impact in Ghana’s politics.
“The PPP has a younger, vibrant set of leaders ready to make their mark and do well for Ghana. I trust them to take good care of the party and deliver even better results than I was able to lead them to get during elections,” he stated.
This means that the party will be going into the 2020 presidential election with a new face since the party was founded in 2012.
Health
Dr Nduom said the past two years had been particularly difficult physically and mentally for him.
“So I have had to undergo treatment in Ghana and in the USA, including at the National Institute of Health (NIH), where my son is a neurosurgeon,” he said.
He said the outbreak of COVID-19 had also interrupted his treatment and review regime.
“Since I am one of the people above 65 years with underlying health conditions, I must stay at one place and not go on airplanes and mingle in crowded situations,” he explained.
Challenges
The President of Groupe Nduom said the stresses of the past three years due to events leading to the revocation of GN Bank/Savings and Gold Coast licences had wreaked damage on his health mentally and physically.
He said he left direct management of his companies several years ago and now had to rediscover details of their operations and put in time to solve challenges of the present.
GN Bank/Savings
On issues regarding GN Bank/Savings, Dr Nduom said he had to discipline himself to respect the fact that he took advice from high-level people to seek justice in court.
“So I need to let the court process run its course even though the adjournments are frustrating. But we have a good case and I have put my faith in God that eventually He will let the truth stand”.
“But I have also engaged the system to seek an honourable settlement for all concerned,” he stated.
Presidential nominations
The PPP has already opened nominations for its members interested in becoming the party’s flag bearer for the 2020 presidential election.
The party will close the nominations on August 20, 2020, after which a virtual selection process will be adopted to elect the flag bearer by the end of August 2020.
National officers
The PPP, on July 18, this year held a virtual national convention at the party’s headquarters to acclaim its national officers. The convention was on the theme: “Our turn, our time to take power”.
The elected officers were Nana Ofori Owusu, National Chairman; Felix Ograh, Berlinda Bulley and Ban Saliah, First, Second and Third National Vice chairpersons, respectively.
The immediate past Communications Director of the party, Paa Kow Ackon, is the new National Secretary, with Ms Abena Acheampomaah as Treasurer.
By: Graphic Online
