It was a sight to behold as hundreds of people as if being choreographed by a specialist poured onto the streets of Asuyeboa, Sofo-line and Abuakwa to catch a glimpse at Nana Akuffo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) flag-bearer who was returning from a day’s tour of the Ahafo-Ano areas of the Ashanti Region to the Kumasi metropolis.
The incident, which happened at exactly 9:45pm last Wednesday evening came on the heels of the energy sapping scheduled tour, surprisingly succeeded in capturing the convoy of the flag-bearer in traffic for about 45minutes.
A journey that should have taken the NPP team about 10minutes to drive to the residency rather delayed for over 35 minutes more as people from all ages as if signaled by a lead anchor poured onto the main road linking those towns to the Kumasi Metropolis.
Strikingly strangely, all private as well as commercial vehicles which were coming in the opposite direction of the road joined in the frenzy as they also drove bumper to bumper to follow the unfolding spectacle.
SPONTANEOUS CHEERS:
The spontaneous cheers and chants at this time, however, had become so excessive that the crowd reduced the speed of the vehicles plying the route to a snail-pace exercise.
The action by the drivers was to allow the increasing number of people get to a close range as they desired to either shake the hands or wave at the former Attorney General and three time flag-bearer of the NPP.
Though the flag-bearer did not physically get out of his vehicle to speak to the swarm of bees type of crowd that had gathered on the streets of the popular route in Kumasi, the flag-bearer as well as many awe stricken party officials who were part of the tour waved unceasingly at the crowd until they found no strength in their hands to carry on.
NO BRIBE:
Addressing separate mammoth rallies earlier at Tepa in the Ahafo-Ano North Constituency, Kunsu and Mankranso, all Ahafo Ano areas, Nana Addo assured he will not be corrupted by the receipt of gifts as a way of securing favors from his future government.
‘’I will not accept any bribes from any contractor, individual or groups because it is not part of me to do so’’, Nana Addo stressed.
The Flag-bearer assured residents to lead a decent and incorruptible government so as to ensure the resources meant for the development of the country were used to do same.
He wondered why a six classroom block project embarked and completed by MTN-Ghana at a cost of 170,000ghana cedis would suddenly cost about 4 times, (510,000ghana cedis) more from government contractors who were constructing same.
CORRUPTION:
The NPP flag-bearer noted his desire to root out corruption from the country by just strengthening the existing laws which guides procurement and award of contracts.
He promised to streamline the processes regarding the securing of contracts and the award of bids to contractors.
This, he maintained would ensure transparency in the construction of government projects since every step of the way in awarding contracts could be checked to ensure value for money.
‘’I will ensure the law works to perfection so as to stem any corrupt activity as well as plug the holes that open up corrupt avenues, Nana stated’’.
