Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije is a Ghanaian politician and former Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Accra Mayor: 2009-2016).
Currently the Member of Parliament for Ablekum South constituency, Okoe Vanderpuije have indicated interest in bearing the flag of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2020 presidential race.
Posters substantiating his presidential aspiration were spotted few days ago, first on social media and then on the streets of Ablekum South and other places in town.
The posters go with the inscription: “Our Hope for 2020 Okoe Vanderpuije, The man you can trust, humble, grassroots man, true party man, experienced, unifier and visionary.”
Meanwhile, some prominent members of the National Democratic Congress are insisting that immediate past president John Dramani Mahama is the party’s choice for the 2020 presidential polls.
Mr. Vanderpuije has also said he will throw his weight behind John Mahama if he decides to bear the NDC flag come 2020. But the party is yet to release their nomination list for the 2020 presidential primary elections.
It has also not been ascertained if the “Vanderpuije for President” posters are emanating from the desk of Mr. Vanderpuije himself, or if it is just a sympathetic gesture from loyalists.
However, considering the singular fact that the former AMA CEO has indicated interest in the country’s highest political office, you certainly would love to know more about him. That’s exactly why we bring you these 7 Buzz Facts about the Ghanaian politician. Read on…
It has been proven from his Dutch surname that, Oko who was born on the 4th of November, 1955 in Jamestown, is a descendant of the “Vanderpuijes” who originally came from Sint-Maartensdijk on the former island of Tholen in the Netherlands. His ancestor Jacobus van der Puije was Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast in 1780.
Aside being of Dutch decent, Alfred Vanderpuije is also of a double royal lineage – Otublohum and Edina. He is the eldest son of the late Otublohum Mantse, Nii Kpakpo Oti III, and grandson of the late Nana Conduah of Edina.
To certify his royal status in the Edina Traditional Area, he was given the stool name Nana Kofi Ababio III.
On 30th April, 2015, Oko Vanderpuije won the inaugural edition of the prestigious President Jose Eduardo dos Santos African Best Mayor Award. The then Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive won the large cities category award which had its focus on 7 major areas of sanitation, education, community upgrading, transportation, economic empowerment and beautification.
He beat mayors of other prominent African cities such as South Africa’s Cape Town and Senegal’s Dakar, to grab the enviable title given out at the Second Africa Urban Infrastructure Investment Forum held in Luanda, Angola.
The African Best Mayor Awards programme recognizes, celebrates and rewards city leaders who display exemplary qualities in leadership and vision, innovative thinking, management capabilities and integrity.
Contrary to what politicians are commonly known for, Dr. Vanderpuije is humble. His outstanding humility was publicly displayed following a seeming face-off he had with former president Jerry John Rawlings on 5th January, 2017, at the Parliament House, during then outgoing president John Mahama’s final state of the nation address.
JJ Rawlings ahead of the address gave Vanderpuije a shockingly embarrassing snub – an action that is sure to annoy anybody, except a very humble personality. Okoe Vanderpuije proved to be really humble as he was spotted after the address, humbly explaining things out to Papa J and making amends with him. Click here for more details.
His humility also makes him open to criticisms as he is never known to engage in war of words with his critics, as is common with some other politicians.
Okoe Vanderpuije is that politician that will go out of his way to please the ordinary people. This is not a mere assumption as the former Accra Mayor really lived up to it ahead of the 2016 general elections.
Dr. Vanderpuije who was then vying for the Ablekuma South Parliamentary seat was spotted on several occasions, helping ordinary Ghanaians out with their household chores – ranging from cooking, down to styling their hair!
See: Photos of Oko Vanderpuije’s Selfless Service To The Masses
Despite being a perfect gentleman, Dr. Vanderpuije is also a very tough person. Speaking in an interview with The Mirror back in 2009, Vanderpuije asserted: “I am tough, very tough; the typical Accra boy born at British Accra [i.e, James Town].”
With a good mixture of toughness and experience, Okoe Vanderpuije blends into a personality with outstanding leadership qualities. Owing to his skills and experience, Vanderpuije has held the following leadership positions:
* President of the World Alliance of Mayors and leaders of Africa and of African descent. He was the first African to occupy the position.
* Chairman of the National democratic Congress, South Carolina and Chicago Chapters.
* Founding member of the North American Co-ordinating Council of the NDC
Okoe Vanderpuije who continually spots full grown beard, once revealed in an interview that he desires to go to his final resting place after his death with his beards unshaven. He is also said to have given his family stern instructions on that.
Mr. Vanderpuije is a widower with two daughters, Mildred and Alfreda. He is a Christian and an active member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
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