Nana Meets Volta Chiefs

Togbe Afede XIV in a warm hug with NPP Flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo at Ho yesterday

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has allayed the fears of the people of the Volta Region by assuring them that he has no ethnic agenda to promote and will also not condone anything of that kind.

'I want to state here, though, with all the emphasis at my command, that I do not have any ethnic agenda to promote, and will not condone any such agenda,' Nana Addo told a full house of chiefs and queen-mothers of the Volta Regional House of  Chiefs at a meeting at Ho yesterday.

Nana Addo said that healthy competition between political parties was necessary to offer Ghanaians a choice between different sets of ideas on how Ghana could be developed.

He assured the chiefs that he would do everything within his power to ensure that Ghana stay united and enjoyed the peace and stability prevailing.

The NPP leader told the chiefs and elders that 'recently, when I was out of the country in the United States, a great controversy occurred which created a great storm. My party issued a statement on it and I fully endorse the sentiments expressed by my party in that statement, which binds all members of the NPP.'

The matter, he said, was before court, and he 'believes that the public interest demands that we allow the matter to be resolved there, and not continue to fan the issues generated by the statement'.

'I want to say, here and now, that I am unequivocally committed to peace in our country,' he stressed.

According to him, the peace and stability in Ghana, despite the diversity in the country, was what made Ghana stood out as an example for the rest of the African continent and therefore needed to be guarded by all.

He said, 'The peace, freedom and stability in the country are far more important than anybody's ambition, including mine.'

Nana Addo met the chiefs in the company of his wife, Rebecca and other party gurus.

The house, headed by the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, was holding its second general meeting in the year.

The floor of the house was full with both chiefs and queen-mothers while the gallery and corridors were filled with observers and other NPP chieftains in the region.

The NPP flagbearer also called for a united Ghana devoid of ethnic, cultural, religious and political backgrounds to propel the country to prosperity and success.

He added that his 'Listening' and 'Hope' tours had indicated to him that Ghanaians were hungry for a message of hope and unity and therefore everyone, including him, needed to make this happen.

He said, 'We have made many strides, but equally so we have made many mistakes, made wrong turns politically, socially and economically over the last 55 years…there are bound to be differences among us, but these differences of opinion should not shake our allegiance to Ghana. Ghana must be first and foremost in all our dealings and thinking.'

He added that 'We must be proud to celebrate our differences and even share the occasional harmless jokes about where we come from, but we should never allow the riches of our differences to become a currency of spite and hate.'

He said, “In our race for economic development, the competition is not with each other. In other words, it is not between NDC and NPP or Dagombas and Kokonbas, Fantes and Gas, or Ashantis and Ewes, or Akyems and Krobos. The competition is with China, with South Africa, Malaysia, Korea, India, Brazil and other countries in the global economic space. We should never forget this.”

Nana Addo conceded that although the Volta Region had proved to be a difficult ground for the NPP, the party had consistently increased its votes, a development he said was a testimony to the fact that the region was willing to adopt him as a true son.

He however added that for NPP to be well-bonded with the region, the posture and attitude of the party was very crucial.

'But, I will be the first to admit that beyond the programmes and policies of the NPP to develop every part of the nation, the posture, attitudes and utterances of our party members are critical to developing this hopefully growing bond between the NPP and Voltarians,' he stressed.

Nana Addo therefore assured the chiefs and the people of the region that the NPP would remain committed to the region and all other regions across the country to build a prosperous Ghana.

The chiefs and queen-mothers who took turns to address the house commended Nana Addo for interacting with them, particularly his assurance that he was not in favour of any destructive and country-wrecking statements and actions.

The President of the House, Togbe Afede, commended Nana Addo for the respect accorded the house and his commitment to peace, unity and development of Ghana and urged him to let all his party members be committed to such values.

He said, “Your reason for coming here Nana, which is to speak on the peace and unity of our country, is a very important one. I congratulate you on behalf of my chiefs and elders for this bold initiative.”

He said, “Nana knows custom and tradition and so he came very well. He came with crates of assorted drinks and cash to support our work in the region.”

Osie Adza Tekpor VII, Osie of Avetime and member of the Regional House of Chiefs, said Nana Addo's visit was a very strategic and useful one.

“I say it is strategic because you have assured us from your very insightful speech that you are against ethnic and tribal divisions and I commend you for adopting the right attitude,' Osie Adza Tekpor VII said.

Other members of the House of Chiefs present were Nana Soglo Alloh IV, Vice President of the house, Togbe Delume VII, Fiaga of Ve, Togbe Gabusu VI, Fiaga of Gbi, Mamaga Amega Kofi Bra I, Paramount Queenmother of Peki and Mamaga Agbalisi IV, Queen of Akpini, Kpando, among many others.

Nana Addo was accompanied by a strong delegation of leaders of the NPP from the region.

They included Mrs Agnes Okudzeto, former 1st National Vice Chairperson; Timothy Amesimeku, former Ambassador to Benin; Elizabeth Ohene, former Minister of State; Osei Nyame, former Regional Chairman; Dr Archibald Letsa, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ho Central; D.D. Dzorkpe, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ho East; Ernest Kaiwo, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ho West; Samuel Ohene; Douglas Woegba; Kenwuud Nuworsu, NPP Volta Regional Chairman, and his team of regional executives.

Other leading members of the party present were Dan Botwe, MP for Okere and Boakye Agyarko, NPP 2012 Campaign Manager.

Nana Addo donated assorted drinks and GH¢10,000 to the House.

From Fred Duodu, Ho