.............as he kick-starts his campaign*

Nana Addo Dankwa Akuf-Addo, the 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, began his campaign for election as flagbearer of the NPP for the 2012 elections today with a rousing and overwhelming support from residents of the Central Region as began day one of his campaign.

He toured the Agona East, Agona West and Gomoa West constituencies today.

Activity at his first point of call, Kwanyako in the Agona East constituency, came to a virtual standstill as news of his visit had filtered through to residents in the town. Upon catching a glimpse of his vehicle approaching the town, residents poured onto the streets amidst jubilation and excitement to welcome Akufo-Addo.

Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied by Yaw Osafo-Maafo; Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbilla; Kwabena Otchere-Darko Mensah, MP for Takoradi; Isaac Asiamah, MP for Atwima Mponua; Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin North; P.C Appiah Ofori, MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa; Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin-North; Lord Commey, former NPP National Organiser; Titus Glover; Brian Acheampong; John Agyabeng , MP for Agona East; Francis Agyaaku-Donkor, Central Regional Youth Organiser; and Agyei Baffour, Central Regional Organiser.

Opinion leaders and delegates of the NPP in the Agona East constituency had gathered in Kwanyako to listen to the message of hope and unity by Akufo-Addo and his team.

Mr. Adjei Baffour, the Central Regional Organiser started by paying glowing tribute of Nana Akufo-Addo for championing the cause of the party over the years and also actively campaigning for the expansion of the NPP’s Electoral College. This, he said, has afforded the polling station executive, a deciding factor as to who becomes the party’s flagbearer.

Mr. Adjei Baffour’s speech was followed by an open endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo by the Chairman of the NPP in the Agona East Constituency. He pledged his support for Nana and promised a massive win for him in the constituency in the congress of August 7.

Boakye Agyarko, a leading member of the NPP and a onetime presidential aspirant of the NPP, spoke of the average Ghanaian’s desire to have the NPP back in office as the NDC has shown itself grossly incapable of managing the affairs of this country. He went on to say that he was not contesting this time around because it is evidently clear and obvious that Nana was the clear choice to lead the NPP to victory in 2012.

He spoke of how Nana actively campaigned for the expansion of the Electoral College of the NPP as far back as the 2007 NPP primaries. He recounted that during the counting of ballots in primaries, Nana told him “this process of a selected few deciding who the flagbearer of the NPP be cannot continue. All footsoldiers must be brought on board”

He further went on to warn that the NPP risked compromising the 2012 elections if the NPP chose anybody but Nana as the 2012 elections was not a game of chance or “chacha.” The Ghanaian electorate, he said, is very sceptical of a first time Presidential Candidate. President Kufuo’s first attempt at the Presidency ended in defeat to President Rawlings as he garnered 37.90% of votes cast. In his second attempt, he became President of Ghana as he had been better marketed by the NPP and Ghanaians had fully accepted him by then. The same can be said of President Mills.

He, however, observed that in the case of President Mills, Ghanaians showed him mercy and gave him the mandate but have now realised that the trust they reposed in Mills has been totally misplaced as he has failed the nation abysmally in just 15 months of his administration.

Mr. Boakye Agyarko criticised those who were opposed to the expansion of the Electoral College but have now turned around hypocritically to canvass for votes from these same persons they sought to disenfranchise. He concluded by saying that before one can claim that he or she can win over the floating voters, he or she must win an election. “You cannot say you will win over floating voters when you have never won an election in your life. Win over the floating voters in the NPP and then you will have the legitimacy to say you can win over floating voters in Ghana,” he said.

Hon. John Agyabeng, MP for Agona East took his turn by congratulating Nana for beginning his tour in the Central Region and assured him of his support and the support of majority of his colleagues in parliament because to them, Nana Akufo-Addo is the man who can deliver victory in 2012 and not 2016 for the NPP.

Mr, Kwamena Bartels, a leading member of the NPP said Nana AKufo-Addo chose to begin his campaign in the Central Region because he had a special interest in the people of the region and was not by accident. He reiterated the commitment of leaders of the party in the region to Akufo-Addo’s cause and pledged their unflinching support for him. He concluded by congratulating Nana Akufo-Addo for his campaign in having the Electoral College of the party expanded.

Nana Akufo-Addo then addressed the gathering by recounting his media interaction yesterday, 21 April 2010, as he officially launched his campaign and there he stated that the Central Region would be his first point of call.

“We lost the elections in Central Region and it is absolutely crucial that given the importance this region plays in the determination of who becomes the President of our dear country, it is crucial that we pay special attention to the Central Region and that is why I have begun my campaign here to seek your mandate,” Nana Addo said.

Nana Akufo-Addo called for unity within the ranks of the party as this was important even in the face of competition. He said the persecution by the NDC was not against those who support Alan Kyerematen or Akufo-Addo, but targeted at the NPP in general and that’s why unity among the rank and file of the party was paramount.

In the 2008 elections, Nana Akufo-Addo said he came so close to winning the election but lost by a margin of 0.46%, the slimmest margin of defeat in the political history of Africa. This, to him, was a sign by Ghanaians that he should come back again and this time around, they would certainly entrust their mandate to him. He promised to deliver victory in 2012 for the NPP if given the nod by the party’s delegates.

Nana Akufo-Addo then took the fight to the NDC led administration of President Mills by saying Ghanaians have become poorer under Mills in just under 15 months of leading this country, quoting figures from the Ghana Living Standards Survey and the World Bank. Ghana, he said, is now “moving backwards slowly but surely.”

“We should all remember that the Ghanaian people are looking up to us to provide a strong, positive alternative to the failing government of the NDC. We cannot fail them,” as he concluded to a rousing ovation amidst shouts by delegates and opinion leaders present.

*SWEDRU*

Nana Akufo-Addo then proceeded to Swedru in the Agona West Constituency to meet party footsoldiers, delegates and opinion leaders. Word of his impending visit to the constituency had spread like wildfire to all residents of the town and it was no surprise that residents had lined up along the streets to catch of glimpse of him.

Nana Akufo-Addo upon reaching Swedru got down from his vehicle, shook hands, and exchanged embraces with residents of the town as he acknowledged their presence and support. Amidst cheers of “No shaking”, “Nana no size” by residents and party supporters in the constituency, he made his way to the venue where he addressed party delegates and opinion leaders.

Nana Akufo-Addo’s delegation was beefed up in the constituency by Ekow Duncan Smith, the Central Regional chairman; Nana Ama Abrefi; Regional Women’s organiser; Hon. Samuel Obodai, MP for Agona West; Joe Hackmann, former MP for Gomoa West as well as the presence of former MCEs and DCEs of the region.

Yaw Osafo Maafo, a member of Nana’s campaign team openly endorsed Nana as the candidate of choice by NPP supporters and Ghanaians alike as his contribution to country and party is unprecedented in the history of Ghana and now is the time the party had to reward him for his loyalty.

Hon. Isaac Asiamah MP, said Members of Parliament in their interaction with their constituents had one message being repeated over and over again to them. The message was “No Nana, No Vote.” This he said goes to prove that Akufo-Addo was clearly the party’s choice and the man Ghanaians will entrust their mandate to lead them out of the mess created by the Mills government.

Dominic Nitiwul, perhaps gave the most electrifying of speeches to the gathering. He said the party needed a dedicated person, who has fought for the NPP to be where it is now. “The party needs a person who will not say I RESIGN, when faced with the slightest of opposition. The NPP needs a man who is unwavering in his commitment to the party and come rain or shine will always be there for you and me” he said to cheers and applause by delegates.

Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin North in his address to delegates said it was imperative that Nana is elected as flagbearer. “Nana Akufo-Addo is a short man with big brains and big ideas. Ghana at this point needs a man with big brains and certainly Nana Addo is that man, ” he said.

Titus Glover and Kwabena Otchere-Darko Mensah, both members of Nana’s campaign team took turns to pay glowing tribute to Akufo-Addo and reiterated his years of service to the party and Ghana.

“From the reception gotten by Nana Akufo-Addo just on his first day of campaigning, it is clear that heartbeat and pulse of the party is inclined towards Nana Akufo-Addo and it will be the greatest mistake of the party if Nana is not re-elected flagbearer in August 7,” Hon. Samuel Obodai said. Day two of Nana Akufo-Addo’s tour to the Central Region begins tomorrow with Nana touring the Awutu Senya, Efutu, Gomoa East, and Mfantseman East constituencies.

Signed