Daniel Kwaku Botwe too "young"?

Finally the dice has been cast and the final list of presidential aspirants is out. So also is the delegates list. The final lap of the race to become NPP’s flag bearer is earnestly in its final lap. Those of you who have ever dared to run a 400 meter race knows how that final 80meters seems never ending. Well, we are there as we speak. You can inquire from Cap. Nkrabea Effah-Dartey.

From all indications of what transpired at the mammoth NPP rally at Kasoa, delegates will have a tough time selecting from the 18 eligible aspirants. All these noble men are well versed in their fields and will definitely contribute immensely to Ghana’s development. However, the mantle according to many NPP supporters (potential delegates) present at Kasoa; MUST be given to Daniel Kwaku Botwe. This is not about, “It is my time.” or “I am the most mature.” It is about the direction Ghana wants to take in the 21st century. 50 years ago when Ghana gained its independence, it was FORTY-EIGHT (48) year old Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who was at the helm of affairs. He became prime minister at the age of 42 when Britain organized the first general election to be held in Africa under universal franchise from February 5-10, 1951. How can people therefore comment today that a 48 year old person is NOT matured enough to lead Ghana?


I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Ghanaians to the Flynn Effect. According to the Flynn effect, there is a consistent rise of average Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test scores, an effect seen in most parts of the world, although at greatly varying rates. This increase has been continuous and roughly linear from the earliest days of testing to the present. Therefore, each generation for some inexplicable reasons seem to be getting smarter than the generation before it. It is discomfiting for Ghanaians to assume that anyone under 50 years is not matured or seasoned enough to be president. Many examples abound from around the world how capable young energetic individuals have been given the mantle of leadership by their populace. In American, John F. Kennedy although widely thought of as the youngest U.S. President, having been elected at the age of 43, was not the youngest man to have served as President! That honor goes to Theodore Roosevelt, who was inaugurated at the age of 42. Bill Clinton and Ulysses S. Grant were each 46 at their inaugurations, and Grover Cleveland was 47. In good old United Kingdom, we should note that from 1783 -1801, they had their youngest prime minister in the name of William Pitt, "The Younger”, who was only 24. On May 2, 1997 Tony Blair then 43 years old became the youngest prime minister since William Pitt in 1801. In 2004, little known Dominican Republic a Latin American country located in the Greater Antilles archipelago on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola elected 34 year old Roosevelt Skerritt as their prime minister. Mr. Skerritt is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's youngest prime minister. Australia cannot be left out. In 1904, John Watson then 37 years old was Prime Minister for sometime. Several other examples abound throughout history and the world.

The delegates need to realize that Daniel Kwaku Botwe has paid his dues by being a loyal and true party faithful, has been dedicated to the masses of foot-soldiers who make up the NPP machinery. We strongly believe that when Mr. Botwe is given the nod Ghana will never regret and stand to reap decades of benefits. The stakes will be high when delegates convene to choose a new flag bearer come December 22, 2007. The final lap is here and all the aspirants are finishing hard. However, Daniel Kwaku Botwe is clearly in front of the pack. Let us together hand the mantle of leadership to a new generation for a new beginning. God Bless.