Presidential hopeful and flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Joe Ghartey, has called on NPP delegates to reject politics of ethnicity and tribalism.
The former Attorney General and Minister for Justice made this call when he met with the Upper West Regional Executive Committee on Wednesday, June 24, 2023, at Wa.
Addressing the delegates and party members, Joe Ghartey said that the founding fathers of the tradition, including R. S. Dombo would never be forgotten. He however stated that they should never be seen as the basis for tribal or ethnic politics.
The former Minister for Railways Development said in 1957, “we became a nation, the then Gold Coast, Ashanti, the North, and parts of Trans Volta Togoland joined together to form Ghana. He said that since then we have remained a nation; one nation.”
According to him, “If we introduced ethnicity into our politics, we would be sowing a dangerous and poisonous seed and the fruits we would reap would be bitter.”
He stated that the delegates should vote for the best person and not rely on where the person came from.
Joe Ghartey said, for him, a very important criterion if not the most important was what the person has done for the NPP over the years.
He said his service to NPP was from its inception in 1992 and he recounted among other things the role in the writing of the Stolen Verdict in 1993.
“Those present confirmed that he had served the Party diligently and recalled his role in 2009, during the Jirrapa bye-election which arose because of the death of Hon Edward Salia,’’ he added.
Joe Ghartey said he had gathered experience in the Executive, where he served as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice as well as Railways Development Minister. Joe Ghartey also said he was a five-term Member of Parliament who had also served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. As a President, he said he would work with both sides of Parliament to carry the agenda of the Nation forward.
Joe Ghartey said he had a clear vision for Ghana based on the private sector and the role of government would be to support the private sector. He gave examples of how he would promote the educational sector and health sector as a major driver of the economy.
The Regional Executives thanked Joe Ghartey and wished him well assuring him that unlike when he stood against President Nana Akufo-Addo before the 2012 elections the Upper West would not disappoint him. They said he, Joe Ghartey was a good man with a good heart.
