The flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2016 general election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged the residents of Teshie in the Ledzokuku constituency of the Greater Accra region, to reject empty promises of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) at this year’s polls.
He entreated the electorate to rather cast their votes based on their current living conditions.
Touring the constituency on Wednesday, June 1, Nana Akufo-Addo said voting in this year’s election should be devoid of politics of tribalism and ethnicity.
He called on the electorate to vote against politicians who practice politics of ethnicity.
Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to the people to consider competence and the track-record of the various political parties and their respective candidates, as well as their ability to deliver decent standards of living for the citizenry.
“The politics of ethnicity is not something that will help us. Let us look at the person who can help Ghana. We have been with Mahama for over 5 years now, and yet we can’t see any progress. The roads in Teshie are bad. Gladys Norley as MP was the one who commenced the town roads around Lascala. The LEKMA hospital in Teshie was initiated by her, and she also brought the Nursing Training College to Teshie. When you give us the NPP the chance, we will work to bring relief to Ghanaians. So please don’t be deceived any longer,” he said.
At Teshie Maami (town), the NPP flagbearer recounted that on the November 28, 2006, the Minister for Fisheries, the late Gladys Asmah, secured a $200 million facility from the Chinese government to construct three fishing harbours at Shama, Elmina and Teshie.
According to him, before the project could fully take off, the NPP lost power in 2008, and after the NDC, under President Mills, assumed office in 2009, the project was abandoned.
“With two months to the holding of the December 2012 elections, specifically 19th September, 2012, then Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Fisheries was here in Teshie and announced the construction of a $250 million fishing harbour for Teshie. Till date, nothing has happened,” Nana Akufo-Addo reminded the people.
“We cannot govern a country on the basis of deceit. The fishing sector has collapsed. There are no jobs. If we are to change our circumstances, then we need people who will come and return Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity. Mahama can’t help us. We have to change Mahama this year so Ghana can move forward, so the youth can find jobs to do,” he added.
Concerns of commercial drivers
At Teshie Lascala where Akufo-Addo interacted with commercial drivers and market women, he pointed out that the insurance premiums, electricity tariffs and prices of petroleum products continue to increase, largely because of the mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy.
It will be recalled that the then candidate, the late John Atta-Mills, made a pledge to reduce petroleum prices drastically when he won power.
The price of a gallon of petrol has, however, shot up from GH¢3.69 a gallon by the time the NPP left office in 2008 to GH¢15.70 now, and continues to increase.
“I have been told that on Thursday the price of petroleum products is set to witness a 3% increase again. The price will continue to increase if we do not change governments this year. This year, look up to me and the NPP and let’s change Ghana. We have the men and women to fix Ghana’s economy and bring wealth to everybody.”
At Teshie Tsui Bleoo, the NPP flagbearer called on all NPP members to unite, win this year’s elections, and help return Ghana back onto the path of progress and prosperity.
“We want businesses to flourish. With all these high taxes being imposed on the private sector, it is not surprising that businesses are collapsing. We are coming to reduce all these high taxes and also abolish import duties so businesses can flourish. When businesses flourish, Ghana can then move forward. The time to change Ghana is now,” he added.
Vote for NPP’s parliamentary candidate
The NPP flagbearer urged the people of Teshie to vote for the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, stating that “not only is he handsome, but very intelligent.
“He is coming to work for you. The lady you voted for in 2012 has proven that she has nothing good for Teshie. We need the NPP in power to bring jobs and wealth to the people of Teshie.”
Earlier, Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on Wulomo of Teshie, Nuumo Adjei Kwanko II, and also introduced himself to the traditional council of Teshie ahead of this year’s elections.
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By: Awudu Mahama/election.citifmonline.com/Ghana