Ghanaian businesswoman and philanthropist Edith Dzigbordi Baku has called on the National Democratic Congress and Ghanaians to “open the door to new leadership,” arguing that holding a previous government position should not be a prerequisite for leading the country.
In a statement released on Monday, Ms. Baku, founder of Putzhilfe Rhein-Main in Frankfurt, Germany, said she is offering herself for the NDC flagbearership and is urging delegates and the public to judge aspirants based on vision and ideas, not only on past political office.
“I respect the people who have served our party and our country, including those who have announced or are considering their ambitions to lead,” Ms. Baku stated. “But I want to ask Ghanaians one important question: Must a person first hold a political position before they can have the right to lead and transform Ghana?”
Ms. Baku, an NDC member, said she has spent years observing the country’s challenges and has developed “concrete ideas” to address poverty, youth unemployment, education, healthcare, and community development.
“When I say I want to offer myself for the flagbearership, some people ask me, ‘What position have you held? What have you done in government?’ My answer is simple: Do you need a government position before you can have a vision for your country?” she asked.
“Leadership is not only about the positions we have held. Leadership is also about vision, courage, ideas, character, competence and the willingness to serve,” she added.
Born in Leklebi-Dafor, Volta Region, and based in Germany since 1989, Ms. Baku said her experience in business and community service abroad has shaped her understanding of how to create opportunities and retain talent in Ghana.
The aspirant said she is not seeking support simply because she is new to frontline politics.
“I am asking them to listen to my vision, examine my ideas and compare what I am proposing with what has already been done,” she said.
“Ghana needs new ideas. Ghana needs courage. Ghana needs people who are prepared to think differently and work differently. Let us not be afraid of giving new people an opportunity.”
Ms. Baku concluded by saying that if Ghanaians believe change is possible, “then we must be willing to open the door to new leadership.”
“Ghanaians deserve a choice. Ghanaians deserve hope. And Ghana deserves the opportunity to move forward. Let the people decide,” she said.
