Economic hardship in the country respects no tribe – Akufo-Addo

The Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to register their misgivings about the mismanagement of the economy.

According to him, the ramificaionst of a bad economy, which the nation is currently facing, will not impact on one tribe leaving the rest but that the effect would be felt by all Ghanaians.

The NPP flagbearer disclosed this at a meeting with some 64 Chiefs from the Akatsi South and North of the Volta Region on May 20 as part of his visit to the Region ahead of the November polls.

Listing some of the challenges in the country’s economy, Mr. Akufo-Addo said the rising cost of living, high utility tariffs, record levels of unemployment, fuel price hikes, a weak currency, dwindling economic growth, low wages, high-interest rates as well as the erratic nature of power supply in the country affect everybody.

Appealing to the people to consider him as the best option ahead of the elections, the NPP leader said the prevailing conditions in the country should remind them as they approach the booth to vote at the November polls.

This, he said must be done in an atmosphere devoid of tribal and ethnic considerations.

“In this 21^st century, we should not be interested in tribal and ethnic politics. It won’t get us anywhere. This century is about knowledge, technology, and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Akufo-Addo said “It is about competence, quality, honesty, and integrity. That’s what we should be looking out for.”

Drawing a comparison between the current economic performance of Ghana and neighbouring Ivory Coast, the NPP leader said there are many things the country can learn from its neighbour.

He said so long as Ghana under Kufuor achieved so much success at the economic level, it means things can be changed once more.

“It shows you that correct policies, under correct leadership, can transform a nation. We can also prosper in Ghana. I am 100% convinced that we, in Ghana, can do even better than Cote d’Ivoire,” he added.

Touching on the purpose of his visit to the region, the Mr. Akufo-Addo told the people he is in the region to “repair the relationship between the NPP and the Volta Region.”

He said, “For too long there has been a distance between us and it is in the interest of Ghana that this year, for this election, the Volta Region and the NPP walk side-by-side.”