Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson
14 August 2008
Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd) is yet to succumb to calls from the Activist Forum of the Youth of Ghana (AFYG) to consider contesting the December elections as an independent presidential candidate.
The Communications Director of AFYG Mr. Steven Asiedu told ADM "we believe that he is the best man for Ghana.
Out of all the ministers we have had under this present government, it is very clear that Major Courage Quashigah has excelled in terms of honesty, discipline and foresight; he is liked by all Ghanaians."
For that reason, he said, "It is time for Ghanaians to eschew certain cultural and historical habits. We elect people based on tribe and political affiliation, Ghana belongs to all of us, it does not belong to any tribe, political party or religion for that matter.
If we are to vote, we have to look at the competence of the person, his fairness and honesty. We are advocating that he goes as an independent candidate." He attributed the backwardness of Ghana to the dictates of nepotism and favoritism.
"In Ghana you and I agree that there is a lot of favoritism, whom you know, and all that... This man has been able to stand out. We have credible people who can run this country better but because of political parties and their memberships, they have not been able to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country."
Mr. Asiedu told the ADM that 3,000 circulars were sent round the regions with about 80% respondents in favour" of Major Quashigah.
Asked how Major Quashigah, a minister under the NPP government could go independent as a presidential aspirant he said, "we do not think it is an issue, it is a matter of principle that if he, indeed thinks what we are saying is true, then he must listen to us, as we all know he always listens to the masses."
He said, "it would not be the first time a minister would be renouncing his party to contest as an independent candidate."
The Communications Director said the group has submitted a copy of the outcome of its survey to the minister awaiting a positive response from him. "We have sent a copy of our findings to him, he is currently going through and we are very confident that he will respond in the affirmative."
AFYG is a youth political think tank which among other things believes in the entrenchment of democracy with the active participation of the youth. The group according to the Communications Director assumes that "the youth must have a say about everything concerning the running of the country."
If Major Courage Quashigah is to yield to the call of AFYG, it would most definitely create much excitement and cost his party many crucial votes. At press time yesterday when ADM contacted his special aide to confirm or deny any such overtures, he said,"I do not know, he has traveled, he is not in town."
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