Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, an aspiring flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2012 presidential election, on Wednesday received the confidence vote of polling station executives of the party at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong-Ahafo Region. As he addressed the executives, the packed meeting hall burst into a thunderous applause which was followed with intermittent shouts of "you are the man of the people", "we need you to lead the NPP and Ghana now". The general theme of his message "Changing the structure of the national economy from dependency on raw-materials export to science/technology-led and knowledge-driven one with respect to sound and sustainable environmental best practices," whipped up the confidence of the gathering. A cross-section of them interviewed later by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), admitted that the 2012 general election would be a daunting task for the NPP and therefore expressed the fear that if Professor Frimpong-Boateng was not given the mandate by the party, it might be difficult to unseat the National Democratic Congress (NDC). A teacher, Sandys Kwame Oteng Adjei, 32, described the professor as a visionary with a clear and understandable message for the masses that placed him ahead of the other contestants as a figure who would obtain not only votes of NPP members and sympathizers, but also the majority of Ghanaian floating voters and some opposition party followers. Mr Emmanuel Bofa, 43, and a shop owner believed Professor Frimpong-Boateng was a gift of God to Ghanaians whose candidature would be a blessing for the NPP because he had no "scandals or political problems as weapons for our opponents to fire at the party". A trader, Ms Rahel Ofosu Yeboah, 28, said the professor exuded hope for wealth creation and could therefore ensure the provision of jobs to the people at both local and national levels if voted for to lead the NPP and Ghana. A 26-year-old hair-dresser, Grace Antwiwaa, described Professor Frimpong-Boateng as capable of leading the country to the promised land of wealth and prosperity because his programmes and policies would promote industrialization and small-scale enterprises through the maximum utilization of local products and raw materials. Mr Charles Kwasi Manu, 54, a poultry farmer, noted that given his humble background and stock of knowledge, the professor was divinely ordained and groomed to rule the country. Patricia Asaah, 38, a trader, said Professor Frimpong-Boateng's track record in his chosen field, as well as in management and administration, portrayed him as a practical, innovative and pragmatic leader who could deliver on his promise to the people. Source: GNA