The momentum of endorsements of Nana Akufo-Addo’s campaign for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party from Ghanaians, both in the diaspora and at home, continues to grow and grow.
With 6 days to the holding of the Special Electoral College of the New Patriotic Party, delegates from the Volta Region have resolved to give Nana Akufo-Addo a resounding margin of victory, and, in its wake, eclipse the 51% margin he received from the region in the 2010 presidential primary.
“Volta Region is for Nana Akufo-Addo”, a statement made by the Volta Regional Chairman of the party, Mr. John Peter Amewu, was corroborated by constituency chairmen from 24 out of 26 constituencies in the region, and 15 regional executives who lined up to declare their support for Nana Addo.
This declaration took place at the St. Francis of Asisi Roman Catholic Church in Ho, when Nana Akufo-Addo took his campaign to seek the mandate of the party ahead of the 2016 elections to the region.
To the surprise of many, former Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Kenwuud Nuworsu, a known sympathiser of Mr. Alan Kyerematen, in responding to an unofficial opinion poll conducted by Dr. Bawumia, as to who in the auditorium was going to vote for Nana Akufo-Addo in the August 31 contest, showed by the raising of his hands that he had endorsed Nana Akufo-Addo, increasing the excitement levels of the delegates in the auditorium.
The 24 Chairmen, who individually threw their support behind Nana Akufo-Addo, noted that the party’s surest bet for victory in 2016 was in presenting Nana Akufo-Addo as the candidate, adding that there was no need to reinvent the wheel.
Chairman of the Anlo constituency, Mr. Seth Yormewu, summed up the sentiments of the Chairmen and assured told Nana Addo that “what happened in Anlo in 2010 will not happen again”, a reference to the fact that the Anlo constituency gave Nana Akufo-Addo his lowest vote share in the region in 2010.
90% for Akufo-Addo – Sir John
Meanwhile, former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, alias Sir John, has stated that everywhere he has been across the country, the clarion call by Ghanaians is for the return “of that exceptional person, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. They say if you don’t bring Nana Akufo-Addo, we will not vote.”
According to Sir John, Ghanaians in the Diaspora who are relatively well-off are clamouring for the return of Nana Akufo-Addo, as evidenced in the votes recorded from NPP branches in the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Italy amongst others, who have declared total support for Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of the August 31 vote.
“We expect not less than 90% votes coming to Nana Akufo-Addo from this region”, Sir John told the delegates, adding that “knowing who he (Akufo-Addo) is, he is not that greedy. We will leave the 10% for the other six to share.”
Sir John noted that “election 2016 it is not about Nana Akufo-Addo. It is about the numerous unemployed persons roaming the streets of our country, it is for the sake of our mothers and fathers who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. It is about Ghanaians. We will make sure that you (Akufo-Addo) will come and rescue the perishing.”
He appealed to the delegates from the region to vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo, since he is the most marketed candidate, amongst the other contestants, in the party.
He stressed the fact the NPP did not lose election 2012, adding that “all of you can attest to the fact that Nana won the 2012 election”, a statement which received a resounding “Yes” from the delegates gathered.
Boakye Agyarko
The 2012 Presidential Campaign Manager of the NPP, Boakye Agyarko, in addressing the delegates, explained that Ghanaians are looking up to the NPP to bail them from the hardships imposed on them by the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government, and further admonished delegates to “unite solidly behind one leader as we proceed to victory in 2016.”
According to Boakye Agyarko, delegates, in their search for this leader, must “look out for a leader who will not leave you behind in troubled times. You need a leader who has shown loyalty, spent all his time and resources to keep this party together. Such a leader will never leave you behind.”
He noted that “the only person who fits this bill, the only person who has shown loyalty and dedication to the NPP is none other than Nana Akufo-Addo. We in NPP are very lucky to have such a leader.”
He also revealed that persons from the NDC in his home constituency, Lower Manya, in the Eastern Region, have come to tell him that “if you make a mistake and bring any other person, you will lose.”
“Even the NDC are looking for respite and looking up to Nana Akufo-Addo.” You don’t hear Ghanaians crying for the retention of President Mahama. All you hear is that ‘No Nana, No Vote’”, he said.
Present at the event were, amongst others, Hon. Owusu Yeboah, former Volta Regional Minister; Hon. Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Ghana’s former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former MP for Akan constituency; Mr. Kenwuud Nuworsu, former Volta Regional NPP Chairman; Elizabeth Ohene, former Minister of Education; Mrs. Agnes Okudzeto, former NPP 2nd National Vice Chairperson; Stanley Adjiri Blankson, former Mayor of Accra; John Peter Amewu, former DCE for Hohoe and Volta Regional NPP Chairman; Dr. Archibald Letsa, former NPP parliamentary candidate for Ho Central and 2nd NPP Regional Vice Chairperson; Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, former NPP General Secretary; Boakye Agyarko, 2012 Presidential Campaign Manager of the NPP; 24 out of 26 constituency chairmen; and the 16 regional executives.
