2016 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to Ghanaians to save the country from the despondency, hardships, rising cost of living, widespread cases of corruption and record levels of unemployment currently prevailing in the country by voting out President John Mahama in this year’s elections.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the continued stay in office of President Mahama and his government is a threat to Ghana’s future, as every sector of the Ghanaian economy over the last 8 years, he estimates, has been in constant decline, coupled with the collapse of every social intervention programme implemented by the Kufuor government.

“We have to save Ghana from John Dramani Mahama, and secure the future of our country. The continued stay in office of John Dramani Mahama is a threat to the future of our country. That is why in December, Ghanaians are voting for change. We (in the NPP) are coming to change Ghana, and bring in a government that is going to return the country onto the path of progress and prosperity,” he said.

The NPP flagbearer was addressing a mini-rally at ‘BBC’ in Tema Community 2, in the Tema West Constituency, on Friday, September 23, when he made this known. Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has been in office for the last 8 years, with President Mahama serving as Vice President for 4 years, and President for another 4 years.

“He (President Mahama) says despite all these years he has spent in office, he wants another 4 years so he can show to Ghanaians what he will do for them. In 8 years, we don’t know what he has done for the people, and he wants another 4 years?” he asked.

The NPP flagbearer wondered, “What does he want to continue? Is it the ‘dumsor’? Is it the record levels of unemployment? Today the NHIS has collapsed. Is this what he wants to continue? When schools reopen, every parent is in tears because there is no money to pay fees. Is this what he wants to continue?”

In spite of the hardships prevailing in the country, Nana Akufo-Addo is urging Ghanaians not to lose hope. “Let no one deceive you that poverty is our lot in Ghana. This is not how God created us. God did not put us on this rich land to be poor. It is bad leadership that is making us poor. We are coming into office to create jobs and bring wealth and prosperity for all, without discrimination,” he indicated.

He assured that an Akufo-Addo government is coming into office in 2017 to “revive the NHIS, effectively implement the free SHS policy, undertake the industrial development of Ghana, which will include the 1-District-1-Factory policy, and revive our agriculture, amongst others.”

To bring all these into fruition, the NPP flagbearer appealed for the unalloyed support of residents in Tema West, stressing that

“Tema West has stood solidly behind the NPP, and we‘re very grateful for that. We want this support strengthened further this year.”

He reiterated that “I am not coming into office to steal the people’s money. I am coming into office so I can use the little wisdom and knowledge God has given me to help change the circumstances of our people. I need your help in order to do this.” With barely 3 months to the holding of the December 7 elections, Nana Akufo-Addo urged all residents of Tema West to disregard any cries of ‘skirt and blouse’ and vote massively for Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, the NPP’s parliamentary candidate of the constituency.

“In the NPP the only process for selecting our leaders is through a vote. I was elected flagbearer by a vote. Likewise in Tema West, Hon. Abraham Osei Aidoo, Hon. Irene Naa Torshie and, now, Carlos Ahenkorah, were all elected by a voting process. It is not a surprise that you have Naa Torshie here supporting and backing Carlos Ahenkorah. These are the true blue NPP loyalists.

“We want a massive vote here in Tema West. We want all Ghanaians to come and ride on the back of the Elephant and push the NPP into Jubilee House. Ghana has become too miserable.
We (in the NPP) are coming to change all these negative statistics and return the country onto the path of progress and prosperity,” he concluded.