Flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has launched his campaign for the 2016 Presidential Election amidst massive support from the party’s Members of Parliament and constituency executives across the country.
“I am the party’s best bet to winning power in 2016,” he declared at Akoto Lante in the Odododiodio constituency in Greater Accra, where he launched his campaign on Tuesday.
In a speech delivered to party supporters, Nana Addo, dismissed media reports that he was unfit to contest another election.
“My body is in good shape. My mind remains as sharp as it ever was; the competitive fire still burns in my belly… I am fit and ready and my appetite is keen as ever to go to battle for the cause of the NPP,” he said to the teeming party supporters.
According to the two-time presidential candidate, he is “emotionally, intellectually, psychologically, physically, patriotically and spiritually strong enough to lead this party [NPP] and our dear nation, Ghana’’.
Nana Addo further mentioned that he was the best bet to win power for the NPP and also to save Ghana from the current economic hardship.
“People have lost confidence in Mahama and the NDC‘s ability to govern. This is clearly evident in the unprecedented nationwide demonstration that hit this country recently.
“The Trades Union Congress, railway workers, Industrial and Commercial Workers union, health workers, residents in some communities in Accra and other parts of the country protest against the harsh conditions of life including the poor conditions of roads in their area,” he noted.
He went on to accuse the National Democratic Party (NDC) administration of President John Dramani Mahama of eroding the economic gains that were made during the NPP administration of Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He said the Mahama administration had wreaked “havoc on the populace and the nation”.
Describing President Mahama as “clueless”, Akufo-Addo said: “There can be no better Ghana when higher taxes, high utility prices, high fuel prices, low sales are killing businesses up and down the country.’’
Akufo-Addo, on the day, received the endorsement of all the 34 NPP constituency chairpersons in the Greater Accra Region. The NPP Members of the Parliament were there in their numbers to declare their support for him.
Amongst the MPs present were; Kennedy Agyapong, Dominic Nitiwul, W.O. Boafo, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Anthony Osei Akoto, Henry Quartey, Naa Torshie Addo and Ursula Owusu, Adwoa Sarfo.
Also present were past national executives of the party; Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Fred Oware, Stephen Ntim, Laud Commey and many more.
The venue for the event was Akwei’s House, the historical meeting ground of the United Party (the Danquah-Dombo-Busia family), not far from Betty House, Swalaba, where Akufo-Addo was born.
Nana Addo finally pledged to run what he called a “clean” campaign.
By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana