The 2008 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party has called for an end to the political vindictiveness and violence that are fast becoming the hallmark of the National Democratic Congress government.
“Enough is enough to the culture of political vindictiveness and violence!” he charged calling on the mass media to “support civil society and sincere politicians to take pettiness and violence out of our politics.”
In his speech delivered at the launch of the Thunder newspaper in Kumasi last Thursday, Nana Akufo-Addo rather called for action against inflation which is speeding ahead and leaving wages behind.
Taking a swipe at the Mills administration's uninspiring start, Nana Akufo-Addo, described President Mills as a doctor who has diagnosed Ghana as a sick patient, but who is delaying with the treatment.
“For the physicians who are quick to describe Ghana as a sick patient, our message to them is that the patient is impatient for a cure. Pure and simple!”
He also called for more attention to be given to expanding the economy to provide jobs. He impressed upon the Mills administration to do a lot more than a mere “spot the deficit and shoot it down” kind of economics.
Nana Akufo-Addo said, “At this time of Ghana's history, with 23 million people understandably impatient for a truly better Ghana, eager for faster growth, job security and an income that is stronger than inflation; at a period in our development when Ghanaians are looking for a national economic programme which is more than spot the deficit and shoot it down; an economic programme wider than mere stabilisation experimentation,” Nana Akufo-Addo said, continuing, “in these times, the memorable words of the famous African-American abolitionist, Frederick Douglas, come to mind: 'It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.' We need action!”
He called on the people behind the newly launched newspaper, “Thunder, strike like lightening to expose corruption wherever your searchlight shines on one. Let this thunder strike against all things that retard our nation's progress.”
He added, “Let it be bold on issues that will get the people elected as our temporary custodians to do what is right and productive, say what is useful and uniting and implement policies that will allow the enterprising people of this country the space, freedom and stable environment to work and prosper.”
He said the media and Ghanaians in general should “focus on things that will renew and strengthen our belief in Ghana, our hope in her future and our resolve in unleashing the potential of a people resourceful, talented and hardworking.”
He advised the Thunder to “temper sensationalism with sensitivity to human-centred stories.”
Nana Akufo-Addo stated, “Let the Thunder make its own meaningful contribution to promoting human rights, protecting individual liberty, property and the rule of law. Let the Thunder name and shame mediocrity and incompetence.”
He also called on journalists to “help the police rid our streets of criminals and protect our future leaders from the menace of drugs and armed robbery.”
But, in a sentence that appears more tailored at his party than the newspaper he was launching, Nana Akufo-Addo admonished, “Competition needs not create factionalism, whether in our media landscape or within political parties.”
Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com
Source: The Statesman - The Statesman
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