Nana Addo Is Too Old�Alan Is More Vibrant�Kwabena Agyepong

Former Presidential Spokesperson in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, has in a rather couched manner, pointed out that the Party�s flagbearer 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 flagbearer in the party�s 1998 and 2007 Congresses, explained that his decision to switch camp to Mr. Alan Kyeremanteng�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 PEACEFM�s �Kokrokoo�, Mr. Agyepong said his call for a young generation politics was more pronounced at the time he was gunning to become the NPPs flagbearer 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 Kyeremanteng, 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, the former presidential Spokesperson replied, �He (Nana Addo) was a younger and vibrant candidate at the time,� he said. According to him, �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.