NPP UK AND IRELAND INAUGURATES MANCHESTER CHAPTER

Over 200 Ghanaians and party supporters packed the Methodist Central Buildings, Oldham street in Manchester's city centre to witness the New Patriotic Party UK and Ireland Branch add to its growing membership with the inauguration of the Manchester Chapter on Saturday 2nd July, 201. This event was attended by Mr Hayford Atta Krufi, Chairman of the NPP UK and Ireland Branch, Mr Kwabena Afum Dankwa,1st Vice Chairman, Mr Marlon Anipa, the Assistant Secretary, Miss Veronica Alala Heming, Women's Organiser, Mr Eric Agyeman, Branch Treasurer and Nana Yaw Sarpong Communications Officer. Madam Ursula Owusu, Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma South in the Greater Accra Region was also in attendance.

Before the packed audience, Mr Atta Krufi, after a successful election swore in the following individuals to steer the affairs of the chapter

Mr Godfried Na- Beyin - Chairman
Mr Osei Tutu -Vice Chairman
Yaw Ayeboafo - Secretary
Manu Yakubu - Asst Secretary
Louis Mensah - Treasurer
Clement Anthony - Financial secretary
Eric Amofa - Organiser
Ebenezer Sarkodie – Asst. Organiser
Aba Coker – Women's Organiser.
Alexander Crenstil - Communications Officer
The following individuals were also named as patrons, Mr Frank Pesu, Mr Paul Baffour and Mr Alexander Mensah.

Speaking on the theme “Our role in winning the 2012 elections in Ghana”, the Chairman of the Chapter Mr Godfried Na-Beyin said the new chapter was fully committed to supporting the branch and the mother party in Party's efforts to recapture power in 2012. He said he and his executives would work tirelessly to raise funds, embark on a huge voter education and membership drive among the Ghanaian community in Manchester and surrounding areas. He accused the ruling National Democratic Congress of gross incompetence and creating a ridiculous high tax regime and insecurity in Ghana. He said President'as slogan “I care for you” has become “I care for myself”. He said Ghana needs an NPP victory to secure the country's progress and development.

In his key note address, Mr Hayford Atta Krufi, Branch Chairman advised the executives not to relax but work hard to win more members for the party. He also charged them to be loyal and committed to the party and to work in unity. He said the party has gone through a process of re-organising itself after its loss in 2008 and is committed to working hard to recapture power in 2012. He accused the NDC of introducing a culture of violence and intimidation into Ghana's politics. He said Nana Addo's message of peace, building a strong educational foundation for our children was in stark contrast to the NDC's confused policies, anarchy and destruction of the gains of the previous NPP government.

Madam Ursula Owusu, who had the whole gathering on its feet when she burst into her newly composed song criticising the government, called on members of the chapter to support the branch adopt constituencies in Ghana to strengthen the party's efforts at grassroots level. She said the election was not going to be easy and would demand sacrifice, commitment and hard work from members. She said the NDC had increased within 2 and a half years, public debt to GH13.4 billion. She also accused the government of collapsing the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme introduced by the Kufuor –Aliu government to help poor households by mismanaging the distribution and allocation of funds.

There was an auction of NPP Manchester chapter handkerchiefs to raise funds and also a short film showing Nana Akufo Addo's meeting with Ghanaians in the UK.

There were other messages of encouragement and solidarity from other executive members of the branch; Messrs Marlon Anipa, assistant secretary, Kwabena Afum Dankwa 1st vice chairman, Eric Agyemang, Treasurer and Madam Veronica Heming, the Women's Organiser.

All Ghanaians living in and around Manchester who wish to join the NPP chapter should contact the secretary, Mr Yaw Ayeboafo on 07915411048.

Nana Yaw Sarpong
Communications officer