You need courage and determination to rule Ghana -Nana Addo

THE FLAGBEARER of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, says the country needs a courageous, strong-minded and visionary leader to surmount the economic and social challenges confronting it.

“Ghana needs not just a leader, but someone with the vision, determination and audacity to be able to confront the myriad of economic challenges ahead of us,” he noted.

The NPP flagbearer, who made the statement in an exclusive interview with Angel 96.1 FM in Kumasi, stated that Ghana was on the path of achieving accelerated growth and development, and that there was no way the country was going to turn back.

He said after eight years of solid and impressive economic, social and democratic development, under President Kufuor, the country could only move forward with confidence and optimism, adding that he was ready to take up the task of leading Ghana with “resilience and a can do spirit.”

Nana Addo's statement followed a question posed to him by the host of programme, Mr. Kwame Adinkrah, over whether the numerous promises made by his party were achievable.

He noted that to believe in Ghana, was to believe in our capability, and know that our potential far outweighed the obstacles that lay before us.

The presidential hopeful said it was regrettable that sections of the public, particularly members of the opposition, continued to exhibit the culture of pessimism, and cast aspersions over our ability to succeed.

He said there was no way the country could stand up and fight against poverty and other economic challenges, if the people were not ready to take the bull by the horns, and do away with the attitude of cynicism, which according to him, had led to a whole new generation of Ghanaians, who were afraid to succeed.

“We need to move forward with confidence, and believe that our potential lies within us, and that it is far bigger than the problems which suppress our efforts to achieve maximum heights in our economic development.”

Nana Addo emphasised that there was the need for the country to consolidate our democratic and economic gains, build a society that would offer opportunities for our youth to exhibit their skills and potentials, and make jobs more available for the people to improve their living standards, adding that, “I am the right candidate who can make sure all these objectives were achieved.”

Touching on the upcoming elections, Nana Addo said there was the need to put the interest of Ghana above our political, religious or tribal interests, and work towards maintaining peace and harmony, during and after the elections, adding that “there is no need beating war drums and instilling fear and terror in the people.”

He said whatever the case might be, “we need to realize that Ghana is the only country we have, and that we must all work hard to protect our sovereignty and national interest.”

The NPP flagbearer, however, said either the elections would go to the second round or a winner would be declared in the first round, he was very optimism that eventually Ghana, in the long run, would be the winner.

“I have never seen a permanent tie election anywhere in the world, if a winner is not declared in the first round, it has to go to the second round, in that order,” he remarked