NPP Grabs Big Shot

Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo rounded off his Eastern Regional tour with a mammoth rally at Kyebi, his hometown, on Wednesday where a former minister in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, Owuraku Amofa took the centre stage to endorse Nana Akufo-Addo as the best man for the job.

Mr Amofa, Deputy Minister of Communications before the NDC was kicked out of power, described Nana Akufo-Addo as a true statesman who had fought for democracy and the progress of the country throughout his political life.

Owuraku Amofa was also a Deputy Minister of Tourism before he was moved to the Ministry of Communications as deputy to John Mahama, running mate to NDC flagbearer, Prof Atta Mills.

Owuraku mounted the NPP platform at Kyebi where he had been an MP for NDC/EGLE Party alliance from 1992-96, and said his former party spent its time persecuting political opponents and antagonising the society, stressing that the nation had made tremendous progress under the NPP

"When I was in the USA, I heard and read a lot about the progress the nation has made and when I came back I was shocked to see the development which has taken place and the level of progress made under the NPP," he said.

Owuraku left Ghana unceremoniously after a brawl with former President Jerry John Rawlings in the run-up to the 2000 elections.

Ever since, he had been living in the United States as a magistrate at Staten Island, New York.

The former NDC/EGLE capo said the NDC party did not have anything good to offer Ghanaians and that if Ghanaians wanted to see a better nation, they should continue to vote for the NPP to move the country forward.

He indicated that he had come to join forces with the NPP to campaign for the party to retain power because only the NPP could take Ghana to the 'promised land'.

"I am glad that Maame Dokonu has seen the light and joined the NPP. I have also come to help the NPP to retain power as a result of its great vision for the nation".

The Kyebi rally which turned into a carnival for the chiefs and people of Abuakwa South where the NPP presidential candidate had been the Member of Parliament for the past 12 years, also attracted contemporary musicians like K.K. Fosu, Kofi Nti and Wutah who entertained the crowd.

All speakers at the rally including Boakye Agyarko and Maame Dokonu saw Obama's victory in the US elections as a good omen for the NPP, saying Nana Akufo-Addo was also on his way to chalking a "one touch" victory as Obama did.

Nana Akufo-Addo on his part used the occasion to thank the people of the area for their support during his time as MP, and asked them to solidly stand behind him, with history beckoning him as the next president of the Republic of Ghana.

"This is a critical time for all of us in this constituency and I want you to pray and stand firmly behind me for me to chalk total victory because when I become the next president, you as a people would also be honoured".

According to him, his dream of making education the cornerstone of the nation's development would be pursued vigorously.

"By the time I assume office as the next president of the nation, I would not want to hear the statement that because of poverty, a Ghanaian child could not pursue education to the highest level. It is very possible because I believe in Ghana".

According to him, he would manage the nation's resources wisely to the benefit of every Ghanaian.

He told the people that when he wins the election in December, he would be president to all Ghanaians irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

"I want Ghanaians to see themselves as one people and with that we can make the necessary progress".

Nana is pushing on the 'accelerator' to sell his vision to Ghanaians with just about a month to go for the election and is expected to tour the Northern Region and also hold regional rallies before the December 7 elections.

By Emelia Ennin Abbey