The Founder and flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, says his party’s political philosophy is a hybrid of the ideologies of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He has described his party as a liberal socialist party.

The APC came out of its first-ever national delegates congress at the Accra International Conference Center last Monday where Hassan Ayariga by popular acclamation was elected as its first flagbearer. Nine other national officers were also elected.

Hassan Ayariga hailed the congress as a “very, very exciting” congress where he heard “powerful solidarity message he has never heard in his lifetime".

Picture: Emmanuel Quaye

With the party almost set to contest in the November 2016 general elections, Hassan Ayariga explained on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Tuesday that the party has fashioned out a practical ideology that borrows from the strengths of the NPP’s liberal democracy and the NDC’s social democratic ideals.

He said his manifesto would be outdoored soon and welcomed the NDC and NPP to freely borrow from his party’s ideas.

“If you can copy and copy it well, I would be glad,” he said.

Hassan Ayariga dismissed perceptions that he is being funded externally.

According to him, proceeds from his businesses, home and abroad, are being used to sponsor his party.

“I am a self-made man,” he said adding “I alone sponsored the APC...I put my own funds into the party and I don't expect to recoup the money spent.”

As a self-actualized Ghanaian, Hassan Ayariga said he is contesting for president because he is motivated by a desire to improve the lives of Ghanaians.

“I am thinking about Ghana and not thinking about myself”, he explained noting that he is well off with enough cars in his house as testimony.

Hassan Ayariga broke away from the Peoples' National Congress (PNC) in January 2016 after losing the party's presidential primary to veteran politician, Dr. dward Mahama. He led the party into the 2012 general elections but performed poorly.

The party was certified on April, 22, after complying with provisions of the Political Parties Law (Act 574). The APC has become the 26th registered political party in Ghana since the return to democratic rule in 1992.