Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says building the confidence of the electorate of the Volta Region in the New Patriotic Party and in himself is vital, if the party is to wrest political power from the ruling National Democratic Congress in the December 2016 general elections.

Key to building this confidence, according to the 2016 presidential candidate of the NPP, is curing the false perception that has been foisted on the NPP by its political opponents that it has a tribal agenda against the people of the region.

“We must make it clear to the Chiefs and people of the Volta Region that all the stories about ‘tribal this and that’ are not true. We must send a message to the people, and they must have it clearly in their minds that we do not have any negative agenda towards the Volta Region,” Akufo-Addo said.

On the contrary, he emphasised that “it is rather Akufo-Addo and the NPP that are coming to power to promote the development of the Region as an integral part of the development of Ghana. In this regard, I am determined to extend a sincere hand of friendship and cooperation to the Chiefs and People of the Volta Region.”

Nana Akufo-Addo made these comments when a delegation from the Volta Region, comprising 24 newly-elected parliamentary candidates and their respective constituency chairmen, regional NPP executives led by 1st Vice Regional Chairman, Dr. Archibald Letsa, and patrons paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Nima.

The NPP flagbearer noted that despite the negative propaganda against the NPP in the region, he senses that 2016 could be a special time in the history of the NPP.

“On the several occasions that I have been there recently, I have had experiences and receptions I have never had before there. It is telling me that, perhaps, this is the moment to reach out effectively for that hand of cooperation and of friendship. I want to assure all of you gathered here that I am going to do my best to reach out and do whatever I can to support the party in the region,” he stressed.

Upon his return from the United Kingdom on July 31, 2015, Nana Akufo-Addo told the gathering that he intends to travel across the country to meet candidates and their competitors to help promote healthy relations amongst them, as the first task towards victory is unity amongst the rank and file of the party.

He also appealed to the newly-elected parliamentary candidates to adopt the ‘Talensi model’ for their campaigns.

“The bond that existed between the three candidates in Talensi was something really wonderful to see. The two losing candidates were the main campaigners for the winner, Thomas Duanab, in their areas of strength and throughout the constituency. That’s what I call the Talensi model which, despite the loss, is a good model. We want to replicate this model in all the 275 constituencies across the country. I want to see this in the Volta Region,” he urged.

In concluding, Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated to the delegation that the worsening economic conditions facing the country require an NPP victory in 2016.

“We cannot continue to entrust Ghana into the hands of the NDC any much longer. I have come to the firm conclusion that President Mahama and the NDC, even if they are in power for 50 years, cannot change the fortunes of our country. Mass poverty will continue to be the lot of the people of our country. We in the NPP are the ones who can make that decisive break with the past, to bring about the transformation of our country and improve the living standards of the Ghanaian people. That’s the nature of the responsibility on us. Whatever we need to do, to come together, and win peacefully the next election, we have to do,” he added.