Nana Addo is too old; Alan is more vibrant — Kwabena Agyepong

A leading member of the NPP, Kwabena Agyepong, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, has in a rather uncharacteristic manner, pointed out that the Party’s flag-bearer in the 2008 General elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has aged and needs to make way for a more vivacious and energetic person.

The NPP stalwart, who openly rooted for Nana Addo as the flag-bearer in the party’s 1998 and 2007 Congresses, explained that his decision to switch camp to Mr. Alan Kyerematen’s side, was principally because “Allan is full of energy and youthful” and one, whose candidature will yield the required dividends for the party in 2012.

Buttressing his statement, in an interview on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, Mr. Agyepong said his call for young generation politics was more pronounced at the time he was gunning to become the NPP's flag-bearer in 2007 and wants to remain consistent with what he stood for.

“You will recall during the presidential elections, I stated that I prefer new generation politics. For me, I want to be consistent in what I do, consistency is very important….Looking around the world, I believe if the age at which one can run as president is reduced, it will greatly help, because the task is burdensome….You need vibrancy and energy to be able to rejuvenate the country. Frankly,…my sympathies lie with Alan Kyerematen, because he is a younger and a vibrant candidate… but whoever the Party selects, we’ll support him,” Mr. Agyepong said.

Asked why this sudden turnaround, since he canvassed for votes for Nana Addo in 1998 and 2007, the former presidential Spokesperson responded, “He (Nana Addo) was a younger and vibrant candidate at the time,” adding that “70% of the Ghanaian electorate is below the age of 39” and the “youth would want to connect with someone who they can easily relate with.”

He, however, quickly added that old-age should not be seen as something too dreadful or alarming.

“We all pray to God for good health and long life, it’s not a bad thing…those are my personal decisions. I believe in a vibrant and younger leadership for our Party,” he added.

Mr. Agyepong argued that “politics is a lose or a win game” and “should not be seen as a life and death matter”.

“The fact that one supports a particular candidate does not mean he hates the other candidate,” he stated.