I’m not too old to be president – Akufo-Addo

A Ghanaian presidential aspirant, Nana Akufo-Ado, has dismissed claims by his critics that he is too old to become president of the oil-producing West African country.

The twice defeated flagbearer of Ghana’s biggest opposition party, who turned 70 years not too long ago, is currently campaigning to lead the New Patriotic Party into another election for the third consecutive time, after failed attempts in 2008 and 2012.

He is being contested by six other people - John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Francis Addai Nimoh, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Osei Ameyaw, Joe Ghartey and Stephen Asamoah Boateng - in the party’s presidential primaries.

Speaking to delegates of the NPP in the Eastern region of Ghana, the former Attorney General urged people complaining of his age to visit Cote D' Ivoire and witness for themselves the good performance of president Alassane Ouattara whom he says is two years his senior.

“There are some people going round, claiming I am too old for the job but my Doctors have given me a clean bill of health. I am fit and prepared to take on the task of this nation”, the former foreign affairs Minister said.

“As we speak, Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara is 72, two years older than me, but go and see the work he is doing in Cote D’ Ivoire within three years of being in office”, Akufo-Addo told the Delegates.