Nana Clashes With John

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IT WAS a clash of the Titans as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo last Saturday met John Mahama at this year's Asafotufuami Festival of the Chiefs and people of Ada in the Greater Accra Region.

The two political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), took advantage of the large gathering of celebrants to push their campaign for votes.

While the NPP members, led by their flagbearer, Nana Akufo- Addo were doing the 'kangaroo dance' with the slogan “We're Moving Forward”, the NDC members, led by their running mate, John Mahama, were also pushing the agenda of “it's time for change”.

Interestingly, the NDC had the largest of membership in that area, considering the fact that both MPs for Sege and Ada constituencies, Alex Tettey-Enyo and Alfred Abayete respectively, belong to the NDC.

Supporters of NDC, led by Mahama, went on a procession through the principal streets of Ada and danced their way to the durbar ground, while the NPP tried to outshine the NDC by virtually lighting the whole grounds with party flags and colours.

This year's festival was therefore politically 'inflamed' as the two political parties put in all efforts to make speeches to attract votes.

Sitting in-state was the Paramount Chief of Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, surrounded by other Traditional Chiefs and Queenmothers splendidly dressed in their rich kente cloths, adorned with jewelry.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Mahama recognized the rich culture of the people and advised them not to allow politicians to ruin their mood with political speeches.

He commended the Chiefs and people of Ada for their political tolerance, and mentioned that on his way to the durbar ground, he was happy to see both NDC and NPP supporters sharing drinks together.

The Bole/Bamboi Member of Parliament therefore said it was wrong for political parties to storm the place and create the impression that there was rivalry among the political parties.

He urged the people and Ghanaians in general to hold politicians accountable, especially those who would be elected in the December 7, 2008 general elections.

On the voter registration exercise currently ongoing, Mr. Mahama called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to educate Ghanaians in advance on how the officers would be rotating to avoid the situation where many people would be disfranchised.

On his part, Nana Akufo-Addo, who flamboyantly entered the arena to a rousing welcome, was a little more political than Mahama.

He reminded Ghanaians of the bad days when the rule of law and respect for human rights were absent, and asked them to vote massively for the NPP in the upcoming elections to enable it continue with its good works.

The NPP flagbearer, who was accompanied by his wife Rebecca, promised to continue with the good governance of President Kufuor when he is voted the next President of Ghana.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, President Kufuor had laid the necessary economic foundation for a major take-off by the next government which he would lead.

He mentioned the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the discovery of oil in commercial quantity and the construction of the Bui Dam to generate additional hydro power for the country.

On the oil industry, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated the role of salt in that business, and assured the people of Ada that his government would make the salt industry a very buoyant one.

He informed the people of government's sourcing of a $40 million loan to help fight the sea erosion devastating the coastlines of the region.

In an appeal to government, Nene Akuaku III asked that the names of the two constituencies in Ada - Sege and Ada - be changed to Ada East and West Constituencies.

He thanked the NPP government for providing the area with water that could cater for between 120 to 200 people, adding, “but I note that the present water supply is not fully potable because of its salinity.

“I plead with government to connect Ada to the Sogakope or Battor Water grid to enable my people to enjoy real potable water.”

Nene Akuaku also appealed for the tarring of some roads in the area, and indicated that there were some perennial conflicts between the people of Ada and its neighbouring districts such as South and North Tongu, and Dangme West.

Other speakers at the function were Sheikh I. C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister; Israel Baako, District Chief Executive for Ada; Alex Tettey-Enyo and Alfred Abayatey, MPs for Sege and Ada constituencies respectively.

A pavilion, constructed by the Ada Youth Development Council, was earlier inaugurated and handed over to the Paramount Chief by Nana Akufo-Addo.

Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied by Professor Mike Oquaye; Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister for Energy; Sammy Crabbe, Greater Accra Regional NPP Chairman; and Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

From Wisdom Peter Awuku, Ada