Akufo-Addo Shakes Wa With Campaign

The Upper West Regional capital, Wa, came to a standstill when the campaign team of one of the NPP aspiring flag-bearers, Nana Akufo-Addo, took the town by storm.

Coming on the heels of another aspirant, Mr Alan Kyerematen, who also visited the region earlier last week, hundreds of supporters of the NPP welcomed Nana Akufo-Addo at the Bamahu barrier on the outskirts of Wa amidst singing and dancing while extolling his virtues.

A large convoy of motor riders, trucks, buses and bicycles, as well as those who were on foot, ushered Nana Akufo-Addo from the Bamahu barrier into Wa, where he paid a courtesy call on the regional minister, Mr George Hickah Benson.

He also called on a former NPP regional chairman, Alhaji Abdulai Issahaque, and other prominent people in Wa.

Addressing a large crowd, made up of polling station chairmen and constituency executives of the NPP later at the assembly hall of the Wa Secondary School, Nana Akufo-Addo denied rumours that he was arrogant and a hot-headed person.

"The only truth about me is that I hate injustice. If that is hot-headedness then I have no problem at all. Tell those smearing my name that they should leave my name alone and do their own campaign," he added.

Commenting on the need for the NPP to remain united in the run-up to the congress and thereafter, Nana Akufo-Addo said it was important for the NPP leadership to ensure that the change of leadership of the party was devoid of problems.

He said it was proper that the NPP learnt lessons from what had come to be known as the "Swedru Declaration" of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) because that episode is still haunting the NDC.

Nana Akufo-Addo gave credit to the party's supporters for their efforts in pushing the NPP that far, and urged them to ensure that the NDC never came back to power.

He reminded them of the huge task ahead during the 2008 elections, saying, "The executive would be adequately resourced and they must ensure that at least they add about seven more parliamentary seats in addition to the existing ones."

Nana Akufo-Addo further acknowledged that the party had not done enough for its foot soldiers because it concentrated so much on governance.

That, he said, led to the neglect of the party faithful but he apologised for the error and pledge that he would bridge the gap between the party and the government if he got the nod as the flag bearer.

On the qualities the delegates ought to consider before voting for a candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo told the delegates to look out for a candidate who was a true blue NPP person.

Above all, Nana Akufo Addo said the candidate the delegates must look out for must be a unifier and a winner, who must be a leader gifted with leadership qualities, pointing out that "if we are looking for a true blue-blooded NPP man then that should be nobody than Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo," he added.

Story by George Folley Quaye & Chris Nunoo