The Secretaries and Women Organizers of 10 constituencies out of the 19 in the Central Region branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have pledged their support for Dr Kofi Konadu Appraku, one of the flag bearer hopefuls of the party. Dr Appraku speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at a meeting with the secretaries and women organizers as part of his tour of the Central Region said all the secretaries and women organizers who converged at Swedru had pledged to assist him due to his hard work, dedication and loyalty to the party. He said they had realized that he was the only aspirant who had kept faith with the executives in the region since 1992 to 2007. Dr Appraku, who is also the MP for Ofinso North, stated that the secretaries and women organizers had recognised the role he played when both the Late Professor Adu Boahene and President J.A. Kufuor were campaigning for the 2000 election, which brought the party to power. The MP who was a former Minister said they also stated that if President Kufuor had laid good foundation both locally and internationally and was leaving office, "Then Appraku should be the next person to succeed him to continue the good work," he stated. He said that they recalled that he was one of the leading NPP members who kicked against what he called, "the NDC economic frauds, which deepened the poverty level of Ghanaians". Dr Appraku promised to consult constituency, regional and national executives before making appointments to top positions including District Chief Executive (DCEs), Ministers and Chief Executive Officers of Departments, Agencies and Organisations if he was given the nod to lead the NPP to victory in the 2008 elections. He called on delegates who would be voting in December this year for the flag bearer to choose an "energetic, vibrant and visionary candidate to lead the NPP in 2008 elections". Dr Appraku said he had also addressed the Ashanti Regional Students Association at University of Education, Winneba, who voluntarily promised to help his electioneering campaign because of his hard work and patriotism to the party. He said that the students noted that he was vocal as the shadow Minister for Finance and Economic Planning during the NDC era during, which he helped to reveal some of the economic incompetence of the then government. Dr Appraku stated that an NPP government under his leadership would continue to uphold rule of law, good governance, freedom of speech and respect for human rights to promote democracy. Source: GNA