The Executive Director of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCa), Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, has stated that his decision to contest in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries for the Kwesimentsim Constituency in the Western Region is borne out of his tacit resolve to help guide the constituency out of its current development conundrum. He observed that since he became the Executive Director of NaCCa and having been involved in high level public policy discussions with both local and international partners, he understands more than ever before that it is of utmost importance to have competent and knowledgeable people around the table when decisions are being taken. “We need a new group of dedicated, exposed, innovative and above all patriotic leaders who can help us navigate towards a brave new future. Kwesimentsim and the Western Region must not be left behind.” Dr. Hamid Armah said he represents a leadership that is connected to a social and professional network that can be harnessed for the ultimate good of Kwesimentsim and Western Region at large. “This leadership will also respond to the needs and voices of the grassroots. Be willing and able to communicate with the party, the constituency and nation with equal level of comfort. A leadership that is persuasive advocate for the constituency and the party both in parliament and outside it.” The Executive Director of NaCCa gave the assurance while addressing a rally of party faithfuls after he picked his nomination forms to contest in the NPP Kwesimentsim parliamentary primaries. He was accompanied by close to five hundred enthusiastic supporters made up of former and current constituency executives, polling station executives, elders and other staunch supporters of the party. For majority of the supporters, they believe that the party has for the past three years lost focus due to disunity and therefore will require a more unifying, competent and dynamic leader to put it back “and we see these qualities in Dr. Prince Hamid Armah”. To show their resolve, some of the polling station executives paid the nomination fees of GH¢2,000 for Dr. Prince Armah. Dr Prince Hamid Armah, after picking his nomination forms, also donated GH¢2,000 to the party to help with its activities. According to him, he is contesting because Kwesimentsim needs a plan for economic growth that will provide jobs for its people, opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and improved social infrastructure. “These opportunities are why we queue for long hours in the sun and rain to exercise our franchise. But looking around the constituency today, we see little of these benefits of democracy. As a private citizen, I have done the little I can to support our schools and the police…I am running because with the weight of office, I can do more for this constituency…”. He noted that Kwesimentsim needs the most compelling advocate it can get to make its case on both the national and international stages. “In the frankly competitive pursuit of development, silence or a badly made case can mean that resources go to constituencies that make a more convincing pitch for them. This constituency cannot afford to be silent while others get what we deserve. We must make use of the networks that our sons and daughters have built to procure funds, skills and infrastructure that will boost the quality of life in the community and bring opportunities and successes to our hardworking young men and women.” Ultimately, he said the government of Nana Akufo-Addo needs to be retained in power for it to continue with the grand agenda of transformation and Kwesimentsim must play an active role. “Since coming into office, the NPP government has made several interventions that have seen our economy get back on track, access to health and education expanded and jobs created. This momentum must not be stalled. We must retain this government in power and Kwesimentsim must play its part. A demoralized constituency party and unpopular candidate can lose us critical votes… I am running because we have to keep Nana Addo and the NPP in government and we can’t afford mistakes.” By Eric Yaw Adjei|3news.com|Ghana]]>