Former First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Danquah Smith Buttey, has defended the party’s choice of its First Vice-Chairman-elect, Kojo Bamba, arguing that concerns about the candidate’s English proficiency should not be used to question his suitability for the position.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Danquah Smith Buttey said the candidate went through the required processes, submitted his nomination forms and was duly qualified to contest the position.
He said once the candidate had satisfied the requirements and was cleared to contest, there was no justification for questioning his eligibility based on his ability to speak English.
“He’s a human being. He contested. He submitted his forms. If anything that you have done there, there’s nothing that we should have disqualified him.”
Mr Smith Buttey further rejected the suggestion that proficiency in English should be a determining factor in assessing the candidate’s suitability for party leadership.
He drew comparisons with countries such as India, China and Germany, arguing that people in those countries conduct their affairs in their own languages without English being a requirement for effective leadership.
“When you go to India, they don’t speak English. When you go to China, they don’t speak English. When you go to Germany, they don’t speak English. They speak their own language. What is wrong with that?”
He maintained that the NPP delegates had chosen the candidate through the party’s electoral process and that the focus should now shift towards the work ahead.
“They have chosen a very good person to work for the party, that is all.”
According to him, the newly elected executives should be given the opportunity to carry out their responsibilities and contribute to the party’s activities without their election being continually questioned.
Mr Smith Buttey expressed confidence that the elected executives could perform their roles and work for the party, regardless of the concerns being raised about the First Vice-Chairman-elect’s language proficiency.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
