Prof. Mike Ocquaye, one of the flag bearer aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stressed that his chances of leading the NPP were very bright, since he was the only person among the aspirants who had passed through the ranks of the NPP, having been a constituency chairman and a Regional Secretary in the past. According to him, "to lead a great nation like Ghana, one must be well educated, have good character, principled and be an achiever in whatever area of endeavor the person has been involved in, in the past," and said the description above, fitted him. In an interview with The Chronicle in Sunyani Professor Ocquaye stated that, he had contributed materially, financially and has consistently worked towards building the fortunes of the NPP, and believes strongly that the party knows its own. He disclosed some of his achievements in academic and other areas of service as one time High Commissioner to India, head the Energy Ministry and the Communication Ministry at different times. The flagbearer aspirant described the NPP as the party of salvation, which can, with the continuous mandate of Ghanaians, save the country from her numerous problems. He said no other party can take Ghana out from her plight except the NPP, so Ghanaians should vote massively again for the NPP in 2008, to guarantee total deliverance. Speaking to The Chronicle in Sunyani, he said NPP's failure to retain power in 2008, would draw back the economic progress of the country, since both NDC and CPP have nothing good to offer the nation in terms of governance. The professor was on his way to the Upper-West Region for a four-day campaign tour, after he met a group of Brong Ahafo regional party Executives whom he described as his 'good friends,' at the Eusbett Hotel. Prof. Mike Ocquaye noted that the success of the NPP in 2008 would depend largely on the manner in which aspirants organize their campaigns, urging, "there should be sufficient decorum to avoid fracture in the party". He cautioned colleague NPP flag bearer aspirants to desist from attacking personalities during their campaign interactions with the delegates, in order not to create cracks in the party, but instead ponder on issues that would be beneficial to the party and the country in general. The out-going Communication Minister and professor of political Science, advocated that "politics in Ghana should be developed into tackling issues like health, education, children and gender, the rights of the disabled among others". He pointed out that throughout his campaign, he has been hearing what he has been able to achieve and what he could deliver when given the mandate and not attacking others. On his view on President Kufour's directives for all aspiring flag bearer ministers to resign, Prof. Ocquaye stated that, he had no problems about that, since it was the prerogative of the president to choose people who he thinks could help him achieve the ultimate as the chief executive of the country. He explained that, ministers were helping the President to perform his executive functions, so if he (the president) at any point in time thinks he needs fresh people to help him, he must be given the chance, because if something went wrong, he would be the ultimate person to be blamed. According to him the number of aspirants was a clear indication that the NPP was made up of competent people who are desirous to lead the country to economic success when given the mandate. Prof. Ocquaye disclosed that he believes in the vision of party in partnership with government, development in governance, vision of an agricultural revolution based on practical application of methods like rain harvesting, the use of power tillers and proper storage methodology, job oriented education policy among others. On what he will do differently from what President Kufour was currently doing, when given the mandate, Prof. Ocquaye said this particular regime of president Kufuor has achieved a lot particularly macro economic activities in terms of inflation and stabilization of the cedi are very important, but there is the need to move ahead to the next level. Prof. Ocquaye said he did not want to believe that President Kufuor was sponsoring Mr. Alan Kyeremanteng to take over the Presidency, after his second term of office. He told The Chronicle that, "if that rumour is true then it is not in the interest of other aspirants and could be a threat to the party as well." Prof. Ocquaye urged the President to stay away from mingling in the affairs of the aspirants and behave as a true father of the nation in order not to spoil the goodwill and legacy he is about to leave behind. Source: The Chronicle