The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nandom, Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor has stated that it is time for Ghana to bridge the generational gap in its governance system.
Explaining the rationale behind his decision not to seek re-election, Dr. Kunbuor who is also the Minister of Defence said it is imperative for the younger generation to be given the chance to govern under the mentorship of seasoned politicians like him.
“I have been meeting with the youth of Nandom, I have met almost all the identifiable groups and the youth made a very clear statement last year that ‘honourable, if you think you are not going to contest again, we think this is our time.’ …I think this is the time to introduce a younger person that I will have all the energy to support and develop.”
He pointed out that the “spaces that are left for the youth are very limited. The youth across Africa and in most countries believe that all the stakes and odds are against them because they are not at the level of decision making.”
He thus warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, they will be recruited into terrorist groups to terrorise their leaders and countrymen.
On Friday, Dr. Kunbuor announced his decision not to contest the Nandom parliamentary seat although some youth in the area had picked up nomination forms on his behalf.
In an interview on Citi FM on Saturday, he confirmed he will not be seeking re- election in the upcoming congress of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He however dismissed claims that that he is bowing out of the race because he is afraid of losing the seat saying, “that is certainly not the case.”
“I believe that in terms of political calendar, this is the time to introduce the youth. I have been round this political town quite enough…when I see the acrimony across the political divide in almost all the political parties, there is a generational battle that is taking place and we need to manage that generational battle.”
Dr. Kunbuor expressed confidence in the capabilities of the younger generation and was hopeful that that with a little guidance, the future of Ghana will be in safe hands.