The 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has added his voice to that of millions questioning the competence of the Atta Mills administration and at the same time calling for relief from the harsh socio-economic conditions they currently find themselves in.
This was when he made an unan nounced visit to Bukom in the Gamashie area, his birth place in the Odododiodoo Constituency on Wednesday where the constituency executives Were holding a meeting.
The meeting virtually came to a stand-still when Nana Addo arrived, as residents as well as party members surged forward to embrace him.
When he had the opportunity to address the crowd, Nana Addo asked whether anybody in Ghana today has begun feeling the Better Ghana prom ised by Atta Mills while in opposition.
"Is this the Better Ghana we were promised, when there is so much hunger and deprivation in our country today?" he asked, prompting the people to yell, No!'
The former Foreign Affairs Minis ter noted that the NPP is the only political party that is capable of elevating the standard of living of the Ghanaian peo ple.
He refuted claims of a misunders tanding between him and Alan Kyere maten, his closest contender in the 2007 NPP presidential race.
"Nana Akufo-Addo and Alan Kyerematen are not fighting. It is a mat ter of competition for a certain vacant position in our party and I believe that as has been the tradition of our party, the elected candidate will be supported by all NPP members. Our critics are working hard to give an erroneous impres sion that we are at war with each other in our party, but the peaceful outcome of recent executive elections is enough indication that the NPP is today stronger and united as ever and can therefore not be a party in turmoil."
"When the NDC comes after us, sacking our people from office, harassing and assaulting us, they don't ask whether you support Nana Addo or Alan Kyerematen. They see us as NPP, and so we should thus see ourselves as such and continue to stand as a united party", he said.
Nana Addo also explained the rea son why he supported the expansion of the electoral college of the party, saying that "it is the grassroots of our party that is capable of propelling us back to power in 2012.
He gave the strongest indication of his intention to run for the position of Presidential Candidate of the NPP in order to lead the party to wrestle power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2012 general elections.
"The flagbearer contest is near, I beg God and all NPP members that as you did for me in 2007, do it for me again in 2010, so that we can begin the reconstruction of our country in 2012 and put our country back on a sound economic pedestal to ensure that the Ghanaian people are taken out of the current predicaments and pain that the NDC is inflicting on us."
Nana Addo seized the opportunity to congratulate the constituency and polling station executives for their dedication and commitment to the cause of the party over the years.
Describing Bukom as his birthplace, Nana said: "I am extremely comfortable anytime I come to Gamashie because this is my home; this is where I was born. The spirit here today tells me that the NPP is fully charged and ever ready for the 2012 general elections, and I plead with all of you to maintain the high spirits as we prepare for the con test ahead of us."
Responding, the constituency organiser, Nii Ofuli Tei, thanked Nana on behalf of the constituents and gave Nana the assurance that he will be given the responsibility of leading the NPP to the 2012 election and subsequently the nod of leading the country by the year 2013.
He however pleaded with Nana Addo not to forget them when he gets to the Jubilee House.
Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the party, Nii Adjei Sowah, remarked that "Nana's surprise visit has really touched all of us and we assure you that during the primaries, we will not forget you."
He thus encouraged Nana Addo to remain resilient and strong and not give up his dreams and aspirations, saying, "I lost out to be Member of Parliament" for this constituency but never gave up and today I am the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of our party. We wi II also not give up on Nana; we will go with him again."
Ghana's former Ambassador to Ser bia and Montenegro, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, who was in the company of Nana Addo, called for the immediate resigna tion of the Attorney General, Betty Mould-Idrissu, for "telling the people of this country serious lies. She sat on radio and lied that Nana hounded her out of office when he was Attorney General".
According to him, "the subsequent release from Nana's office revealed her as a liar. The Attorney General made a sad mistake when she at1empted to vent' her frustration on the elephant himself, and I will advise her to look for a small er 1ish next time."
Source: Daily Guide |
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