The Eastern Regional Minister, Ambassador Victor Smith has said the time had come for Ghanaians to insist on having people with vision, good track record, integrity, credibility, and above all God fearing to lead this country, not someone who has no vision of his own to benefit anyone else but himself.

Speaking to a media gathering at the EREDEC Hotel in Koforidua, the Minister said “it is a national duty to help educate ourselves in order to avoid the deception by the NPP flagbearer who is only seeking a personal ambition and desire to become president of the Republic of Ghana just to follow his father’s footsteps”.

“Is it any wonder that he would make an irresponsible statement like “all die be die” and still try to defend it? Who should die for him to become president?” he queried.

Further attacking the credibility and track record of the NPP flagbearer who also happens to be his tribesman from Akyem Abuakwa, the former Ghana’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic said Nana Akufo-Addo presided over substantial portions Akyem Abuakwa as a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State, yet people in these areas can’t pinpoint anything as his achievement.

Ambassador Smith also disclosed disappointment expressed by prominent people and traditional rulers (though not publicly) to him that Nana Akufo-Addo spearheaded the “villagisation” of Kyebi and its environs in his twelve years as political leader in the area.

“If he has no vision to see to the development and upliftment of his brothers and sisters and constituents in just one constituency when he was so well placed to do, how can anyone believe him if he promises to bring development to the over 300 constituencies in Ghana?” he further asked.

Disputing claims by the opposition NPP that it can manage the nation’s purse better than the ruling NDC, the Eastern regional Minister gave examples under NPP regime such as the Hotel Kufuor saga, the Gizelle Yagzi saga, the Haruna Esseku kickback brouhaha, sale of Ghana Airways and the sale of Ghana Telecom to buttress his point that the NDC government is better than the NPP.

Some Municipal and District Chief Executives from the region also showcased pictures of developmental projects the NDC administration came to meet in 2009, and how they have been improved over the last four years.

Some of the DCEs also took the opportunity to explain some issues relating to developmental projects in their area.

Also in attendance were some regional party executives and NPP defectors who were there to also tell Ghanaians why President John Mahama will be a better choice in the upcoming elections that Nana Akufo-Addo.