Apparently, this discussion is to present and show case, non-other, than one of the Youth Political genius in our political circles whose political successes can hardly be underestimated. John Boadu is politically a chip of the old bloc, who has thoroughly gone through the mills as a Young meticulous Political Actor within the New Patriotic –Party fold –or fraternity (NPP and the centre right tradition/family). After the prolonged political farmine and military usurpation, the party had had need for a vibrant youth vanguard to rally full support for its political activities at the advent of the fourth Republic. Across the country, the long sway of the military had held most of our youth in fear and unwilling to step into the hot political fray which obtained at the time. From a not so glamorous beginning, JB as he is affectionately called has risen through the political mill up the rungs of the ladder as a Youth Leader at Ablekuma South Constituency during the days of the politically savvy and maverick, the late Mrs. Thereza Amerley Taigo. JB thence, held several portfolios in the National Headquarters of the party in rallying the youth vanguard of the NPP. The effect is the 2000 electoral victory the party chalked after three decades of political ill-fate. A holder of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ghana’s premiere university, university of Ghana, Legon, John had through the party been part of international capacity building trainings, mentorship and orientations to bolster his stature as a Youth Leader. What is peculiar and profound to him was the then availability of topnotch political personalities around the New Patriotic Party at the time- such as the much revered former president, H.E John Agyekum Kufour(JAK) and vice president , the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (1st National Organizer of the Party), Haruna Essekou, Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe (former General Secretary), Lord Oblitey Comey (Organizer Par Excellence), Davi Ama (former National Treasurer), Rita Asobayire (former Women’s Organizer), and a host of very prominent and accomplished politicians in the ranks of the NPP- from whom JB cut out his sharp political teeth.

Dr. Mustapha Hamid, Hon Isaac Asiamah, Hon Anthony Abayifa Kabo, my good self, including Sammy Awuku and Nana Boakye, Hon. Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, Hon. Asenso Boakye, Frank Asiedu Bekoe (Protzoa), Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide have all been exemplary predecessor Youth Leaders and contemporaries respectively of JB. These and others are very distinguished and hardworking former Youth Leaders.

John Boadu apparently a fast learner congregated thereby amongst the top echelons of the political terrain. Today, still pretty much a Youthful Leader, he contested on the back of the party’s 2016 electoral victory and won the General Secretaryship of the ruling party. Preceding this feat, he had held several responsible party positions and won previously, the party’s ‘coveted’ National Organizer, National Youth Organizer and National Youth Treasurer Positions. Some speak to his being a ‘’strategic thinker’’ (Adwene Kesie) and his affability very much as his humility towards all and sundry. Suffice it to point out, that, the multi-billion dollar question has been whether or not, this maverick has delivered on his task for the party relative to the unparrelled performance of his forebears such as the venerable Agyenim Boateng of blessed memory, Hon Dan Kwaku Botwe, late Sir Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) and others. The answer is yes, and apparently in the affirmative; he has delivered from every conceivable angle one looks at it from.

Firstly, the political dynamics vary at every junction and jurisdiction. The political climate within which JB sought to lead the party was one of a boisterous internal conflagration and implosion that almost nearly brought the party to its knees. Variant factionalisms within the ranks made it difficult to navigate the managerial path, so one is not accused of been at one or the other side. In the intricate circumstance, political connoisseurs believe, that JB could hardly be found accused of a bias wading through the conflicting wedge in the party’s ranks in the past years.

Again by the 2016 National Elections, the internal skirmishes notwithstanding, the then ruing National Democratic Congress (NDC) was pretty much well resource than the NPP, running a blackmail campaign against the then opposition candidate now President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The party needed to put up great leadership even while it pursued electoral reforms.

In the midst of all of this, and with great fortitude, JB was and has been able to pull through this milieu and has held the party together with the cracks now invisible and paling into insignificance. He has to be applauded since this peace seem to have transcended and cascaded into the general party fibre. John Boadu, is confident, knowledgeable, eloquent, affable, assertive and a very much proactive persona. The General Secretary of the NPP, sits on the Executive Position of the centre-right Africa regional affiliate of the International Democrat Union (IDU), the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), as its Deputy Chairman. The DUA secretariat is hosted here in Accra.

Per the constitution of the NPP, its National Chairman heads the party hierarchy, therefore, by his style of leadership contributes to making successful General Secretaries as Chair of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and determines policy directions of the party. Particularly the success of General is predicated on the relation chemistry with the chairman of the party, The National Treasurer, National Organizer, we have had a very solid and distinguished National Treasurer and National Organizer amongst others. He must be willing and liberal enough to give acquiescence to what step the General Secretary takes. Apparently he is the fulcrum around which good General Secretaries are made.

Instructively, it’s only fair to depose that, the Rt. Hon. Freddie Blay and his team of Executives have helped bring out the very strong qualities in JB since they both gel and swing along productively.

He has been and still is, a member to few government Boards helping bring fruition to the vision of H.E, the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the government of the New Patriotic Party. With barely a year into the second term of the NPP, it has become of great importance the need to hold the party together so as to work in support of the government achieve its mantra of a Ghana beyond aid. Of significant importance is the implementation of the political calendar with regards to imminent internal party primaries right down the ladder from the polling stations through to the Parliamentary and Presidential primaries. JB has proven his mettle, and it’s certain, he will competently lead the charge to give the party an even keel and sound footing.
He is tested and tried! I worked under him and this is a testimony of a “Political saint”.

The African Youth has great endowments which could be prodded and harnessed. JB, is indeed a shining example worth celebrating and emulating.

We wish him good luck in the years ahead as we glide through Ghana’s fourth republic.

JB, Ayekoo !!!

EMMANUELATTAFUAH-DANSO,
DIR, INT AFFAIRS, NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP),
DEP SEC GEN, DUA

The appointment of certain persons from the External Branches (Diaspora) of the NPP and Ghanaian citizens by H.E Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo, President of the Republic of Ghana to key positions in his administration has cemented the place of the party’s branches abroad as an important constituent made up of people with enormous skills and experiences who are contributing to the development of the country. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s decision to include some members of the external branches of the NPP and Ghanaian citizens abroad in his government as a deliberate policy to tap into their skills and experiences and also to recognize the contribution of the party and in the development agenda of the government cannot be swept under the carpet especially, as some of those given the opportunity have distinguished themselves and deserve commendation by the International Affairs Directorate of the Party.

It is instructive to state that while almost all appointees from the external branches of the party are competently performing the functions of their office with alacrity to the admiration of the President, the National Chairman, the General Secretary, the Party and concerned observers, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Mr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu’s innovative leadership and proficient management of the state power distributor has caught the attention of the International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches of the party as a whole. Under the leadership of Mr. Agyeman-Budu, the ECG has seen a tremendous transformation and rejuvenation in the operations of the company. Innovative ideas and technologically driven operational procedures at the ECG, has resulted in effective, efficient and reliable power supply for domestic and industrial use in Ghana. Currently, the ECG is emerging as one of the few state entities leveraging technology and innovative management practices to realign its operations for a responsive and better service to the people of Ghana.

As an energy expert, Mr Agyeman-Budu, trained in the New York Institute of Technology with over 38 years of managerial experience in the energy industry is blazing the trail and justifying the vision of the President to exploit the ingenuity of Ghanaians in the diaspora. Specifically, the introduction and implementation of the following policies and interventions at the current ECG make the International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches proud:

1. Introduction of ECG Power: in Ghana now, electricity consumers with smart meters can purchase credit, make a top up, check the rate of power consumption and report faults to the company for prompt action via a mobile application. The innovation has eased the burden on customers whose credit gets finished deep in the night and those who stay far away from vending points. Most of the customers with smart meter no longer go through the bitter stress of queuing to purchase credit.
2. A $ 33 million Pokuase Bulk Supply Point to ensure reliable power to parts of Accra under the MiDA compact agreement is underway. The vital infrastructure is required for improved electricity distribution to support the socio-economic development of the country.
3. Over GHC 40 million being spent to ensure reliable power supply to the people of Kumasi and Ashanti region in general.
4. The use of technology to detect and isolate faulty areas for prompt attention as a mechanism to ensure stable power supply and to put an end to unwarranted power outages.
5. Implementation of the social relief to electricity consumers announced by the President. The good intention of the President offers free electricity to lifeline consumers and 50 percent to all categories of consumers including industry to offset any hardships and loses occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic currently which ravaged the global community. The extent to which beneficiaries enjoyed this package through an automated addition of the 50 percent of March consumption to credit purchased which started in the month of May has received plaudits by consumers.
6. The pursuit of technology to end the incidence of power theft which is a major obstacle affecting the finances and operations of ECG over the years. From domestic to industrial use, power theft is currently reducing with an incentive to those who report such misdemeanor to the company. Very soon, the menace will be nib in the bud with the deployment of technology.

The policies and project being executed to improve operations and augment infrastructure of the company is intended to ensure improved operational efficiency and capability to meet the domestic and industrial needs of power consumers in the country. It takes leadership to rally the intellects and energies of workers, investors and development partners to achieve this vision and feat being witnessed by the ECG under Mr. Agyemang-Budu. The man is known for his humility, responsiveness, hard work, generosity, patriotism and respect for divergent views in all aspects of the company’s technical and social culture. He understands the dynamics in the sector and how collective effort anchored on technology and commitment to service provide the necessary solutions to deal with such an intricate business of ensuring constant and reliable power for the economic and social progress of Ghana.

The International Affairs Directorate and the External Branches in general commend the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana for justifying the confidence repose in the expertise and abilities of the members in the diaspora for national development. We equally commend and appreciate the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for reaching out to those in the diaspora and entrusting leadership to over hundred (100) External Branch Executives. Members and Ghanaian citizens in the Diaspora. The other distinguished External Branches (Diaspora) who also performed exceptionally are: Michael Ernest Ansah (CEO, Ghana Integrated Aluminum,), Nana Agyei Yeboah (CEO, Student Loan Trust Fund), Prince Sefah (Deputy Director Genral-Operations, NCA), Kwame Prempeh (Deputy CEO, National Procurement Authority), Hayford Atta-Krufi (CEO, National Pension Regulatory Authority), Akwasi Awua Ababio (Director of Diaspora Affairs, Jubilee House), Alexander Yaw Adusei (CEO, Keta Port), Aisha Salifu (Deputy CEO, Zongo Development Fund), Jullie Essiam (Ag. Commissioner, Support Service Division, GRA), Kofi Tontoh (Head of Information, Ghana Embassy Washington-USA), Frederick Kofi Ameyaw (Head of Information, Ghana Embassy New York-USA), Kwame Kyeretwie-Amponsah (Assistant to MD, ECG), Eva Andoh-Poku (MD, NTHC Properties Ltd), Fred Asamoah (Executive Director, COTVET) etc. The party (NPP) in the diaspora will remain supportive of the President and his vision for the country. Under the International Affairs Directorate, the External Branches will continue to contribute our quota in whatever form to ensure a resounding victory in the 2024 elections. The International Affairs Directorate urges members of the External Branches to remain calm and take a cue from the shining example of Mr. Budu (One of the finest External Branch Organizers in the history of the Party) and others who are performing creditably in the current administration so that when their time comes, they will distinguish themselves to give cause for the the External Branches and the Directorate to celebrate them.

Congratulations to Mr. Kwame Agyemang-Budu, Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for your distinguished service to mother Ghana and the New Patriotic Party.

Kudos our indefatigable MD, we celebrate you !!!

According to President Akufo-Addo, “I am glad that we are now able to say that education in the public sector is free from Kindergarten to Senior High School, which we have redefined as basic education. This initiative has resulted in a significant increase in pupil enrollment, with 1.2 million children currently in Senior High School, the highest in our nation’s history.”

The President made this known on Wednesday, 25th September 2019, when he delivered a statement at the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of the convention on the Rights of the Child”, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

With Ghana being the first country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, he stated that “we have never been in doubt about the heavy responsibility that goes with Ghana’s position as a trailblazer of the Convention, and have, since its ratification, enacted national legislation, and instituted reforms in education, healthcare, and social protection systems, all aimed at translating the relevant provisions of the Convention into policy and action.”

Describing the world’s children as “our greatest treasure today”, President Akufo-Addo explained that beyond their protection, world leaders must invest in their development.

“When I stand before the children of Ghana and look into the eyes of Ghana’s future, Ghana’s tomorrow, I am reminded that I must work harder to guarantee that knowledge and well-being become the backbone of the modern, prosperous economy we are trying to construct,” he said.

The President continued, “Knowledge, knowledge and more knowledge is the only way by which we can rid our society of ignorance, poverty, and disease, and, thereby, accelerate progress towards a better future for our children”.

Ghana, President Akufo-Addo told the event, has also made considerable progress in reducing childhood mortality and morbidity, through effective national immunization campaigns and universal coverage of primary healthcare for all Ghanaians, particularly children.

“We are committed to ending child marriage, and eradicating all forms of child labor, trafficking, and slave-like practices, in line with SDG 8. ‘Operation Get off the Street Now for a Better Life’ has been initiated, and the Ghana Child Labour Monitoring Information System (GCLMIS) has been re-activated,” he said.

In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of this Convention, the President urged the gathering to remember the words of the late Secretary-General of the United Nations, who, at the Special Session of the UN for Children in New York on May 2002, said, “history will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”.

Dr Nyarko also showed appreciation to the New York and North America chapter in supporting the party and encouraged them to work even harder to ensure the party wins the next elections with a resounding victory.

He also said that the bane of the development of the country is the NDC, especially the poor leadership exhibited by John Mahama during his reign as the president of the country! Present at the meeting were both executives and some members of the chapter!