Nana Akufo-Addo's Flag-bearership Record

1. Unlike Kufuor, the NPP's Presidential Candidate had an impressive economic and social record as a campaign tool - free maternal care, NHIS, free basic education, NYEP etc.

2. He embarked on Listening, Restoration of Hope, and Thank You tours all over the country.

3. He restructured and re-branded the NPP with new Electoral College and elected national officers to reflect regional, tribal, and gender balance.

4. He changed his Campaign Manager twice - Arthur Kennedy & Boakye Agyarko in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

5. He selected his own Communications Director and Deputies across the country.

6. There was unity of purpose within the NPP as no new political party emerged.

7. Ex-president Kufuor, although not fit, campaigned with him in many sensitive areas.

8. He changed the picture on his electoral poster from a seeming 'frowning face' in suit to a smiling face in African wear.

8. Professor Atta Mills ( then a sitting president) died just six (6) months to the presidential election.

9. His main opponent, John Mahama used only three (3) months to campaign as the NDC's presidential candidate.

10. He was marketed from 2007 till the day of the general elections, hence the accolade; "Y3nim wo firi tete" to wit; we have known him for long.

11. He had one of the best, if not the best Campaign Message - Free SHS now, in both Election 2008 and 2012.

12. He chose one of the best running-mates ever - a finest economist, and northerner, Dr. Bawumia on two occasions.

13. The NDC, our political opponent, was divided into factions - Obed's DFP, and Nana Konadu's NDP.

14. Former president J.J. Rawlings did not campaign for his main opponent, John Mahama.

16. Former president Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu became his friends and Konadu even became his defender along the line.

17. Dr. Sekou Nkrumah, Maame Dokono, Nana Ampadu, Owuraku Amofa, Frances Essiam - all former NDC Stalwarts became his friends and joined the campaign train.

20. Daddy Lumba, Pastor Ampong, Philapa Baafi, Christiana Love etc composed emotional songs for him - Nana is the winner, We are moving forward etc.

21. He began to sit in public transport (trotro) to look ordinary.

22. He drank pure water in public, Kenkey & Ampese in public, and visited people in their kitchens.

23. He got his running-mate, Dr. Bawumia to pound fufu in public whilst his wife swept the Nima market.

24. He did quite well in all the IEA presidential debates.

25. He declared "All-die-be-die" in Ghana to energize party faithfuls and protect the ballots.

26. Prayers upon prayers, fasting upon fasting were all done by Christians, Muslims etc to give the battle to The Lord and indeed, the battle was given to The Lord.

29. Two million dollars ($2m) worth of mobile phones were given to all NPP Polling Agents to text electoral results to the party headquarters.

30. Over 11,000 pink sheets were sent to the Supreme Court as evidence of electoral fraud, but none of them showed that some of his votes were taken and added unto his opponent's as we were initially made to believe.

31. He ate 'kpokpoi' in Accra and was cleansed by Nungua Wolomi for spiritual strength.

32. A gargantuan Judgement Debt song - Woyome, Woyome was composed by NPP members.

33. The media, led by Ash FM and Oman FM's Owusu Bempah, aka Aboa Papu explained issues, defended against rumours, and launched verbal attacks on the NDC.

34. After the 2007 NPP Presidential Primaries, this was a statement from him; "Alan, take your time; you would be president after me". His term ends in 2016.

35. He went to Israel to offer prayers, but in spite of the above, his votes kept depreciating.

36. He distributed t-shirts, mounted big billboards, and organised beach rallies.

38. NPP members treated him like a president anytime he returned from abroad.

39. Apart from the free SHS policy, he made special promises such as accommodation for the 'Kayaye' - head potters, expansion and transformation of the economy, and improving the standard of living of Ghanaians.

40. The last, but not least, he needed only 23,000 popular votes to win Election 2008, but it turned round to be a deficit of 40,000 votes and now 370,000 votes with a struggling two (2) regions. How could he overturn this 370,000 votes now that Mahama would be spending four (4) years as an incumbent president?

Fellow patriots and delegates, the above are the hard facts, which I know many of you would be offended. As it is often said; "Akwadaa ob3wu no, wode no hy3 Roman sofo botom koraa a, ob3wu" to wit, it useless to put a dying baby in the pocket of a Roman Father, for it will still die. What is impossible is impossible. Goods that cannot sell would not sell even when carried around town with the best sound systems. The people will just dance to the music and ignore the goods, and this is what has happened to the NPP's political commodity.

What then do we need to do as delegates? The only sensible thing to do at this crucial time is to reflect over the above, and replace the commodity that meets the people's taste and preferences, if indeed, we have the NPP and Ghana at heart. It is evident that Rawlings, Kufuor, Mills, and Mahama look naturally appealing and humble to the Ghanaian voter. Thus, any act they engage with the public is seen as natural part of their lives.

For those of us in Get Alan Kyerematen Elected (GAKE), we believe that Hon. John Alan Kyerematen ((JAK the second) has all the attributes that can match the NDC's candidate, John Mahama, and also meet the demands of the Ghanaian voter. Alan, who is cast in the mould of former president Kufuor, is a symbol of vision, charisma, competence, humility, wisdom, and peace. He is tall, gentle, giant, handsome, energetic, and approachable. Coincidentally, he is called John, a name which is synonymous in Ghana'a presidency since the inception of the 4th Republic. Prez John Rawlings, Prez John Kufuor, Prez John Mills, Prez John Mahama, and the last John, "Prez John Kyerematen", the Saviour!

As delegates, we are the "kingmakers"'in the NPP. Even Prof. Adu Boahen, who broke the 'culture of silence' had only one chance; we gave Kufuor only two chances and he maximised the opportunity straight away; we have equally given Nana Akufo-Addo two chances, but where are we now as a party - in opposition? Instead of reflecting deeply on this, they don't even admit that the party lost the elections. They rather come out to say the elections were rigged by the NDC; at times they say it was rigged by the Afari Gyan and his Electoral Commission; they blame Kufuor for not helping; they at times blame Alan Kyerematen for their woes; sometimes the blame goes to Otumfuo, Atuguba and his Supreme Court, and in recent time, the party's Polling Agents.

Why can't we also level blame on our presidential candidate who is the face of the party? What promise did he make to us before he was given the mandate as our flagbearer? Did he promise to send the NPP into opposition or the party to the Flagstaff House? So, who takes the blame? Looking at the high level of corruption and mismanagement of Ghana's economy, do we have to blame Nana Akufo-Addo of NPP or John Mahama of NDC? Fellow Kukrudites, let's think about the future of our beloved party. Nobody is a repository of knowledge.

The old should therefore give way to the new. Ghanaian election has never been based on popularity, else the NPP delegates will elect Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Wayne as the party's flag-bearer. The two strikers - Nana- Bawumia has failed to score the needed political goals for us in our two previous 'World Cups'. As coaches, let's substitute our flopped top striker with Alan, and GAKE members have the strongest conviction that, Alan-Bawumia partnership will definitely give us the winning goal in Election 2016. The first change has occurred in the NPP's National Executive elections, and Paul Afoko, who was nearly killed at Legon for supporting Alan Cash is the leader of the NPP now. We need one more change for power!

GAKE, One more change for power! Join us by calling 0547851100; 0264931361; 0202471070 or [email protected]

Think Alan! Think Victory!!
Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri

(Free SHS Ambassador)
Official blog: [email protected]
0202471070 : 0264931361
"Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success"