Akufo-Addo advises NPP members

Tema, Oct. 17, GNA -- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a flag bearer aspirant of New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on members of the party, not to support any aspirant who defects from the party after losing in the December 22 Congress.

He said even though the democratic principles of the party created room for many aspirants, only one flag bearer would be elected. "All aspirants are potential winners and losers, therefore those who would lose must support the winner to ensure peace prevailed in the 2008 Presidential Election," Nana Akufo-Addo added. He made the call when addressing party executives and polling agents from 27 constituencies in the Tema Municipality, Dangme East and West Districts at Tema on Wednesday.

The party, he said, would not tolerate the repetition of previous elections where aspiring losers either defected or stood as Independent candidates, adding: "When this happens only the loser would leave". Nana Akufo-Addo former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD called for unity among the members and rally behind the winner to ensure a formidable party capable of winning the Presidential slot.

He advised the members to make their intentions clear to the aspirants that they would not support any defection and creation of factions after the congress.

On electing a flag bearer based on religion and ethnicity, Nana Akufo-Addo said the party would not indulge in such issues that had created chaos and conflicts in some African countries. He asked the delegates to base their choice on competence, track record as well as staunch members who had struggled and contributed to the growth of the party but "not those who just secured their party cards".

Nana Akufo-Addo denied that he was arrogant and unfriendly saying "I abhor injustice and would ensure that the right thing is done all the time".

"I am surprise that nobody criticized me of being arrogant but praised and commended me for bravery during the critical period when I stood against injustice in the system but now being misconstrued of being proud".

On qualities of becoming a successful leader, Nana Akufo-Addo said he contributed greatly to the success story of the Danquah-Busia Tradition that sought for unity among members, good policies in the country as well as peace in some African countries during his tenure as Foreign Minister.

Nana Akufo-Addo asked the delegates to consider his track record as the NPP's first National Organizer, an Attorney General and a Foreign Minister to elect him as the party's flag bearer during the congress. He said when elected as the NPP's flag bearer, he would ensure the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was defeated for the third time in 2008.

Nana Akufo-Addo pointed out that the 2008 elections would be highly competitive and called for the intensification of house to house campaigns to enable the party win more than 160 out of the 230 Parliamentary seats.

On the party and government relationship, he stressed the need to bury differences between them and close their ranks to avoid any infiltration and win support from their members and sympathisers. 17 Oct. 07