Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The standard bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated that President John Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) government have shown in their eight years in office that they have no answers to the crisis they have plunged the country into.
“President Mahama has no solutions to the myriad problems confronting our country. In fact, Mahama is an impediment to the progress of our nation. The president and his NDC government have nothing good to offer Ghanaians,” Nana Addo observed.
He mentioned some of the problems as economic mismanagement, widespread unemployment, high cost of living, unaffordable utility tariffs, rampant corruption, and crises in the health, energy and education sectors.
The NPP flagbearer was addressing thousands of the party’s supporters at Asafo Street in Sekondi during his five-day campaign tour of the Western Region.
Nana Addo assured the gathering that all hope was not lost, stressing that “we should all work hard and ensure that the NPP wins the December elections because that will be the only way to bring massive development to Ghana, as well as improve the wellbeing of Ghanaians.”
Nana Akufo-Addo re-emphasized his determination to establish factories in all the districts nationwide to create jobs for the unemployed youth, if given the nod as President of Ghana.
He therefore, appealed, “Give me a chance, and try me and see; because I have something good and positive for Ghana. I want the opportunity to serve my nation and serve my people to the best of my ability.
“I am not seeking the high office of this land because I want to steal your money and line my pockets with the nation’s resources.”
He added, “I am not coming into office for the well-being of myself, my family or cronies. No! I am coming to do a job for Ghana and for Ghanaians. Have confidence in me, and vote for me this year because I will not disappoint you.”
Nana Addo pointed out that the region deserves more development projects than what it is being given. He indicated that the numerous resources in the region make it imperative for it to develop at all fronts.
He was not enthused at the poor nature of the road networks in the area, particularly in the northern parts of the region, and indicated that that was one reason he had decided that if given the nod, he would create the Western North Region to help accelerate development in the area.
The NPP leader also promised to create a Coastal Development Authority, similar to the party’s proposed Northern Development Authority, which would be geared towards improving the living standards of fishermen and those living along the coast.
Nana Addo also promised those in the Western Region that his government would improve and expand the railway system to make it effective and efficient and help ease congestion on major roads.
Alan
Alan Kyerematen, a leading member of the NPP, asserted that the Mahama administration lacks ideas in fighting poverty and lift Ghanaians out of the doldrums.
“The only campaign message of the NDC is that they had built roads, hospitals and schools and so Ghanaians should vote for them. But let me tell Ghanaians that every government builds these infrastructure but what is important is to work to improve the living standards of the people,” he emphasised.
According to him, the building of roads, hospitals and schools are only a stop-gap in the fight against poverty, adding that what the people really need are jobs.
He therefore, urged the citizens to replace the Mahama administration with an Akufo-Addo-led one at the December polls to experience more development and better living conditions.
Peter Mac Manu, NPP Campaign Manager, said the party had proved that it has credible programmes with competent people to execute them; and called on Ghanaians to vote massively for the party to continue its good works.
Parliamentary Candidate
The NPP parliamentary candidate for Sekondi, Andrew Mercer, appealed to the electorate to vote overwhelmingly for the party to provide holistic development nationwide.
“Ghana is the only country we have and if things go on well they benefit all of us; but the current NDC government lacks what it takes to develop Ghana and manage the economy well. The NPP has a good track record and I believe the party will not disappoint Ghanaians when voted for.”
Other speakers were Otiko Afisa Djaba, National Women’s Organiser; Papa Owusu-Ankomah, MP for Sekondi; Joe Ghartey, MP, Essikado; Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP, Takoradi; Catherine Afeku and parliamentary candidate for Evalue-Ajomo-Gwira.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi