The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has entreated persons living in Gonjaland and other parts of the Northern Region to choose him over President John Dramani Mahama, a native of Gonajland, in the 2016 elections because he has better plans for Ghanaians.

In an appeal similar to President Mahama’s recent statement at the palace of the Nayiri in Nalerigu that the people of Mamprugu should vote for him even though he is not their “blood brother”, Nana Akufo-Addo also called on the people of Yapei in the Northern Region to vote for him (Akufo-Addo), because he had the welfare of Gonjas at heart.

“Me, I am not a Gonja, but I am coming to do a good for the people of Gonja. I want you to look upon me as your partner, somebody who is committed to people of Yapei Kusawgu, Gonjaland, and the people of Ghana,” he said.

In response to the request by the Paramount Chief of Yapei for the provision of potable water and the construction of a secondary school there, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that it was for such reasons that he announced the setting up of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).

This programme, he explained, would allocate US$275 million per year to tackle issues relating to infrastructural development and poverty eradication in rural and deprived communities across the country. This amount translates into US$1 million per constituency per year to address the developmental needs of all constituencies across the country.

Mr Akufo-Addo, who aims to win the presidential elections in his third attempt on December 7, further assured the Yapei chief that his request for the creation of a district in the Yapei/Kusawgu area would be addressed and responded to when he wins the elections.