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General News of Tuesday, 19 January 2016

Source: The Chronicle

I’ll declare war on corruption – Akufo-Addo

Nana Akufo-Addo - NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo - NPP flagbearer

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has re-echoed his commitment to ensure governance of strict accountability. He has also vowed to fight against corruption amongst public officials when he gets the nod to rule the country under the banner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Nana Addo said he would remain truly committed to ensuring effective and judicious use of Ghana’s resources for the benefit of its people, stressing that nepotism and favouritism would not be part of his administration.

The NPP flagbearer, whose address was heralded by the solemn ‘Awurade’ hit track composed by Cindy Thompson, reminiscent of the party’s 2000 election campaign, reassured Ghanaians that he is not seeking power to amass wealth, adding that his family, as well as his officials, will not utilise Ghana’s cash for their personal aggrandisement.

Speaking at a hugely successful first-ever public fundraising ceremony organised in Kumasi by the Ashanti Regional branch of the party last Saturday, Nana Addo also said neither his wife nor any member of his family will become an ‘agent’ of sharing contracts when he becomes President.

“As I always say, and keep on saying, I didn’t come into politics to spend Ghana’s cash; all I need is for Ghanaians to have faith in me and put me in charge of the resources. I won’t chop your cash, and my wife will not be dishing out contracts,” he said.

The NPP flagbearer also gave the assurance that under his leadership, he will ensure strict accountability amongst its officials, and avoid the wanton dissipation of public funds, as was being witnessed under the current administration.

He said Ghanaians cannot continue to wallow in the quagmire of poverty and economic hardships, whilst a few Ghanaians grab and spend state funds with impunity, promising the next NPP will run a transparent and accountable governance, which every Ghanaian will be proud of.

He, therefore, commended the gallant supporters for their generosity and commitment to the cause of the party, pledging that he will never, when given the opportunity to lead this country.

Nana Addo also said the NPP regime would create jobs, resolve the energy crisis, and create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, thereby, improving the general economic status of the country.

Meanwhile, the party (NPP) has increased its financial muscles ahead of the November 7 elections, after managing to pool a significant amount of funds at the fundraising ceremony.

Dubbed “Save Ghana Now” Fundraising for Election 2026, the party managed to bag several millions of Ghana cedis through the sale of tickets and donations from its members, including parliamentarians and the business community.

Whilst some publicly announced their contributions, others, for fear of victimization, did so on the quiet, through a specially created account at Stanbic Bank. According to the Chairperson of the Ashanti Regional Fundraising Committee, Mrs. Janet Anane, the tickets initially printed for the programme were outsold, compelling the Committee to print extra to meet the increasing demand. The tickets were in various denominations such as 20, 50 and 100 Ghana cedis.

The Ashanti Regional MP Caucus, led by Elizabeth Agyemang, set the ball rolling with a GH¢50,000, whilst others contributed as much as GH¢60,000 towards the occasion. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, under whose auspices the programme was organised, said the NPP had always believed in collective achievement through contributions from all supporters.

He said the fundraising was, therefore, an opportunity for supporters, who are the real owners of the party, to show their commitment and to motivate them to contribute their quota towards the victory.

Chairman Wontumi said party leaders, including the late Dr. Kwame Abrefa Busia, the late Prof. Adu Boahen, and former President J. A Kufuor had all benefitted in one way or the other from contributions made by party supporters. He, therefore, pledged that similar programmes would be organised in other regions to solicit the support of the people.