Why we need Kwame Pianim to run for President.

First, let me state that I am not affiliated with or subsidized by Kwame Pianim or any group working to elect him President. I am just a citizen of our country who is deeply concerned about its future.

It is heart warming to note the intensity of the competition for the NPP nomination for the Presidency of our country. Those of us who have lived in earlier periods are grateful for our democracy. The opportunity to enjoy this freedom also comes with the obligation to preserve it for future generations.

It is this obligation that is leading me to ask Mr. Kwame Pianim to run for the Presidency of Ghana. My reason is straightforward -- with an embryonic democracy, we need a calm and experienced hand to preserve our democracy and build on the economic gains that we have achieved over the past 7 years. The recent oil finding makes the need for a calm and experienced hand even more important -- without a unifying and experienced figure, we risk the civil wars and divisiveness that has marked so many countries with oil, including our staunch ally, Nigeria.

As you know better than me, the best time to judge a man's character is when things are difficult. Well, unlike most of the other candidates, with Mr. Pianim we have a lot of evidence to discern his character. He was jailed for 10 years by the (P)NDC government, yet he wasn't bitter nor resorted to violence when he was released. His character was tested again in 1996, when his fierce fight for the NPP nomination was abruptly stopped by our Supreme Court -- and again, he showed his love of country by respecting the rule of law. During our recent energy crisis, there are few who worked harder than Mr. Pianim to seek alternate sources of energy and assuage the fears of investors.

I don't have anything against the other candidates. I just think that with Mr. Pianim, our children will see a safe, united and more prosperous country. The times are too dangerous for an untested and divisive figure to lead us.

Kwame A. Boateng
Asamankese, Ghana
You can reach the author at [email protected]

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