Akufo-Addo: Give me the nod and I’ll defeat Mills

Leading contender in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer race, Nana Akufo-Addo, has asked delegates to the party's December 22 Congress to select him as flagbearer to enable the party defeat Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills and the NDC at next year's election.

He told a gathering of his backers, supporters and well-wishers from all sections of society at a fund raiser at Nima, Accra last Friday that just as in a game of football in which people do not place their bets on 'stoppers' but on schemers/strikers who create goal scoring opportunities or score themselves, the delegates at the NPP Congress must give their votes to him to enable the NPP continue with the good works of the government and party.

According to Ghanaian Observer, Nana Akufo-Addo who spoke in Twi, told the well attended event that he was at Legon with Prof. Mills with whom he played in the Legon Hall football team. Mills was a stopper and he, Akufo-Addo was a schemer who used to score a lot and just as people put their bets on such schemers/strikers in a game of football; asked NPP delegates to put their bets on him because he knows Fiifi Mills more than anybody in the race.

A one-time member of the Academicals, the national students' football team during the 1st Republic, Nana Addo played alongside the legendary Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, award winning coach of Liberty Professionals Football Club and was even appointed Secretary to the Academicals at a point in time by the legendary soccer administrator, Ohene Djan of blessed memory.

Nana Addo told the crowd that after the good works of President Kufuor, it is important that the NPP chooses a flagbearer who understands Ghana's politics and where President Kufuor carried it to enable the NPP remain the most attractive party and also one that can deliver as was the case in 2000 and 2004.

Nana Addo said he represents the person who most understands Ghana's politics with his vast experience and knowledge of Ghana's politics and even the key players. “I have lived here at Nima in my youth, played football and engaged in all manner of games and interactions with people all over the country and beyond and know what the people want from the NPP after next year and I will deliver it," Nana Akufo-Addo said.

The high point of the evening came when the organisers of the event; who are business people sprang a surprise on Nana Addo with the announcement by Yoofi Grant, the MC for the occasion that hiplife sensation A-Plus was at the event and wanted to sing his single hit in support of Nana Addo's bid.

A totally bemused Nana Addo was overheard asking where A-Plus was and when the young musician broke into acapella, the surging crowd released white handkerchiefs, swarmed around Nana Akufo-Addo, thereby creating a carnival mood; which continued when the DJs started playing the controversial A-Plus song.

The crowd, which sources close to Nana Akufo-Addo's Campaign Team say epitomizes Nana's belief in Ghana and the industriousness of its people was made up of businessmen and women from the highly industrious Kantamanto class through to dollar-wielding CEOs and, investors in real estate and even petty hawkers.

A side show which was a feature film on Nana Addo's campaign gave those present an insight into how his campaign is being well received all over the country.

Many in the crowd were overheard discussing strategies as to how to ensure that Nana Addo wins the flagbearer contest hands down.

The Ghanaian Observer said after the fundraiser which yielded an appreciably hefty sum in cash and pledges, the crowd chatted deep into the night just strategizing on how to help Nana Akufo-Addo get the nod.