Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, has urged all potential presidential hopefuls within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to revive the noble traditions of past party legends by openly sharing their track records and bold visions for Ghana’s future.
At the launch of the NPP Patriotic Institute held at the party’s headquarters, Prof. Oquaye took delegates on a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of Ghanaian politics, when giants like Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, J.B. Danquah, and Simon Diedong Dombo led with integrity, respect, and a shared sense of purpose.
He painted a vivid picture of campaigns run not on mudslinging or division, but on mutual respect and a clear message of service.
Prof. Oquaye recounted “I saw with my eyes, the spirit of respect and cooperation among all of them like Dankwa and Busia and Dumbo did.
Prof. Oquaye highlighted how this spirit of unity was preserved during the 2007 NPP congress in Lagon, a pivotal moment when President John Agyekum Kufuor gracefully handed over the baton.
He praised the mature conduct of key figures like President Nana Akufo-Addo and Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, noting that even candidates who did not win the nomination accepted the results with dignity and rallied behind the party.
He emphasized the importance of aspirants presenting a clear record of their past service and their plans for Ghana’s future.
He explained “The cost of disunity. Our party in the year 1979, when we had the elections, that brought the Limann of the PNP to power, was divided into PNP and UNC. I wrote a book on this.
Prof. Oquaye made it clear that anyone who acts against the party’s interests should be held accountable and excused from the party’s processes.
