Let's Say No To Sankofa -Mac Manu

The National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Peter Mac Manu, at the weekend cautioned Ghanaians not to make the mistake of voting to return the opposition National Democratic to power because the return of Rawlings' party to the corridors of power would not be in the interest of the nation.

He consequently called on the rank and file of the NPP to rise up and intensify their campaign to spread the good news of the party at all coners of the country to ensure a resounding victory in the December elections.

Mr Manu was addressing the Annual Delegates Conference of the party held at the weekend at the Sekondi College in the Western Region.

Mr Mac Manu noted that the NPP's record of massive development and good governance provides a reasonable justification for the renewal of the party's mandate by the electorate in the Deccember election.

According to the him the NPP government had proved beyond all reasonable doubt that they are capable of handling the affairs of the country better than their political competitors.

He identified the good hunan rights record of the party, the continued pursuit of democratic practices, both within the party and in government, and the pursuit of prudent economic policies as some of the enviable hallmarks of the NPP administration.

"Friends, this is a success story that must continue for Ghana in the coming years. Our people of today, and generations unborn, will not forgive us if we allow anybody with "sankofa" outlook to take over and return our country to the dark days of economic mismanagement, social dislocation, the denial of human rights and the shameless use of violence to achieve political ends," he told his party faithful.

According to Mr Mac Manu, the "kangaroo dance" has taken over the entire nation because the people have begun to take to the NPP everywhere in the country, as "they see our methods as legitimate, our language as civil and refined; that we represent peace, fairness and transparency. We address the issues-especially the bread and butter issues-that concern the people, and we show respect to other candidates and other parties. Most importantly, we keep our promise."

The NPP Chairman charged his party faithful not to allow their personal ambitions to override the greater objective of having a unified party, stressing, "let's not forget that our individual ambitions can only be achieved through the party."

He added, "When we allow internal conflicts to sap our strengh and destroy our unity, we are ultimately destroying our party. I urge each and every one of us to remember that the supreme interest of the party should dictate and guide all our actions."

Mr Mac Manu particularly appealed to loyal and committed members of the party not to allow their emotions to rule their heads with respect to the outcome of recent primaries, adding that nobody within the National Executive had any reason to be unfair to any aspirant.

"There are some who are threatening to vote 'skirt and blouse'. These people do not realise that they have fallen into the trap of our opponents. No loyal and committed NPP member should dream of, let alone threaten to, inflict such a invidious design on our party-especially in this case where there is no justification," he stated.

The NPP Chairman explained the consequence of voting 'skirt and blouse' to his party activists: "If you vote Nana to the presidency and help elect a Parliament of rival parties, you are sentencing him (Nana Akufo-Addo) to inaction and spelling the doom of the party."

Mr Mac Manu therefore cautioned the rank and file of the party not to make a mistake and allow their actions and inactions to threaten the very survival of the party they had all helped to nurture with their toil and sweat.

On the selection of Mahamudu Bawumia as the party's Vice Presidential Candidate, the party guru described the decision by Nana Akufo-Addo to go for the banker and economist of international repute as "the most appropriate choice."

"We know he will compliment Nana very well because he brings so much to the ticket by his youthfulness, confidence and brilliance," added.