The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says President Mahama is very much aware of the fact that he has lost the 2016 presidential election because of his abysmal record in office and the economic hardships and suffering he has imposed on the Ghanaian.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the President’s determination to hang onto power at all cost is not borne out of his desire to improve on the well-being of Ghanaians, rather, because of the perquisites and benefits of office for himself, his family and close associates.
The NPP flagbearer noted President Mahama’s desperation, with 21 days to the holding of the December 7 election, will reach new heights through the announcement of plethora of phantom promises to the Ghanaian electorate.
One such desperate move on the part of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo recounted, is the decision to restore the allowances of nursing training students, albeit it partially.
The NPP flagbearer noted that despite President Mahama’s opposition to the restoration of the allowances all these years, “he has decided to pay the allowances, with a few days to the elections. This smacks of desperation, with no iota of sincerity. It is an election year gimmick.”
On the contrary, the NPP flagbearer noted he is seeking the mandate of the Ghanaian people “so I can use the little wisdom and knowledge God has given me to help create jobs, wealth, progress and prosperity for Ghanaians. I’m not seeking the high office of the land so I can steal from the people or line my pockets with the monies of Ghanaians. That is not why I am running for President.”
The NPP flagbearer made this known on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at Adukrom, in the Okere constituency, when he began a 4-day tour of the Eastern Region.
Nana Akufo-Addo noted that “the wind of change that is blowing across all parts of the country is in favour of the NPP. Because of this, and the perks associated with the high office of the land, President Mahama and his functionaries are going round the country peddling a lot of lies about me and the NPP.”
These lies, according to the NPP flagbearer, will be in the form of “the NPP not liking a particular tribe or religious grouping, or that we are going to drive a particular ethnic group away from Ghana. These are all lies. Don’t pay heed to it.”
He stressed that, “Ghanaians are looking for a competent government to come into office to solve the many problems they are being confronted with. Ghanaians want a government that will do a job for them, and not that will rule with propaganda. We don’t manage a country with propaganda, lies and deceit.”
Ghana, a country which was the envy of the entire continent, under the 8-year leadership of President Kufuor, is now in tatters, according to Nana Akufo-Addo.
He, therefore, appealed to residents of Adukrom to “help me and help push the NPP into jubilee house, so we can create jobs for all Ghanaians, as well as bring progress and prosperity to the country. Ghanaians are suffering too much. Ghana is not a poor country. We are going to develop this country and rapidly ensure prosperity for all Ghanaians.”
Nana Akufo-Addo assured residents of Adukrom that “we in the NPP have the men and women who can give this country a 1st class government, and help create jobs, and bring progress and prosperity to all.”
Having announced the rapid industiralisation of the country’s economy, 1-District-1-Factory’ policy, the diversification of Ghana’s agriculture, the true implementation of the Free SHS policy, the revival of the collapsed NHIS, and the establishment of a Zongo Development Fund, amongst others, Nana Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that these policies will be implemented to the letter when he is given the mandate to serve Ghana in the December 7 election.
He reiterated that “we in the NPP will not make promises we cannot keep. When we said we were going to implement the NHIS, the late President Mills and the NDC said it could not be done. However, President Kufuor did it. Likewise, I am telling Ghanaians that Free SHS policy, amongst others, will be truly implemented to the benefit of all.”
“I am not one to make promises I know I cannot keep, all in the name of getting votes. I have too much love and respect for Ghanaians to make promises which I cannot fulfill. I will never do that,” he assured.
Nana Akufo-Addo, on day-1 of his campaign tour of the Eastern Region, also visited the Ayensuano (Amanase, Asuboi and Teacher Mante), Lower Manya Krobo (Odumase Krobo, Somanya, Kpong) and Asuogyaman (Atimpoku) constituencies.