Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the people of Ghana that an NPP government, under his leadership, will transform the fortunes of Ghanaians and move the country forward, within a short period, if the people of Ghana give him the mandate come the 2016 election.

Addressing delegates of Mampong, in the Ashanti Region, on Sunday, October 12, 5 days to the October 18 NPP primary, Nana Akufo-Addo told the delegates that “an NPP government, under Nana Akufo-Addo, will provide this country with the leadership that will transform this nation, bring prosperity to the masses and ensure that our youth find gainful employment. I can assure you that we have the men and women in the NPP, who can in a short period, move this country forward.”

“God did not put us on this rich land for us to be poor. It is bad leadership that is making us poor. Corruption is what has brought us this far. The mantra from this government, when the need arises for developmental work, is ‘There is no money’. They have squandered all the money whilst the masses suffer. We (NPP) want to reverse this. Help me, support me to ensure we change Ghana and realise the potential for which our forefathers, who fought for our freedom, envisioned for us,” he added.

On the upcoming NPP presidential primary, Nana Akufo-Addo recounted how previously only a handful of delegates, 10 per constituency, were constitutionally mandated to elect a presidential candidate.

According to him, some leading members of the NPP believed that such an arrangement was inimical to the forward movement of the NPP, because the majority of work to be done prior to an election was work that was to be done by the polling station executives.

“We believed that if, truly, we want to know who the real choice of the grassroots is, then let us expand the Electoral College to include polling station executives. Some vehemently opposed it. However, I was one of the active campaigners of this proposal to ensure that you (polling station executives) were included in the expanded Electoral College. It was a proud moment for me when this was done,” he recounted.

He thanked the role played by polling station executives in the August 31 Special Electoral College of the party in ensuring that he was given an overwhelming 80.81% of votes by the 740 delegates of the party

“During the August 31 Special Electoral College, a majority of delegates from the Ashanti Region and indeed across the country made it clear to me that they were going to vote for me because you, the polling station executives, had told them to do so. They listened to your demand and 81% of the delegates voted for me. In view of this and contrary to Sir John’s mantra of ‘fear delegates’, I can say with all confidence that ‘I trust NPP delegates’,” Nana Addo said.

He continued, “It is now your turn. In 2010, you gave me 79% and I plead with you to, at least, replicate this feat on October 18. A massive vote for me will send a clear signal to NDC that the NPP is solidly united behind its presidential candidate towards victory in 2016. That is the message we are also sending the people of Ghana.”

It is Akufo-Addo’s time – Chairman Wontumi

Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, who was also present in Mampong, recounted how polling station executives and constituency executives from Mampong told him, when he was contesting for the position of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, that they would only vote for him if he supported Akufo-Addo.

“I used to be a staunch ally of Mr. Alan Kyerematen. However, it is you the polling station executives who told me that I should come and support Nana Akufo-Addo because he is your choice. Who am I to go against the wishes of the masses?” he asked.

He stated that Nana Akufo-Addo has remained loyal to the party, adding that 2016 is Akufo-Addo’s time

“I have no hatred for Alan Kyerematen or Hon. Addai Nimo. God has listened to the cry of the masses who are suffering under the hardship imposed by President Mahama. God has, therefore, given Ghanaians ‘Moses’, who is Nana Akufo-Addo, to lead Ghanaians from the hardship of ‘Egypt’ to the promise land God has given Ghanaians,” Chairman Wontumi said to a loud chants of approval from the delegates.

He appealed to the delegates from Mampong to give Nana Akufo-Addo an emphatic margin of victory so as to send a clear signal to Ghanaians that the NPP has chosen Nana Akufo-Addo to lead it to victory.

Present at the event were, amongst others, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman; Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, MP for Kwadaso; Hon. Isaac Asiamah, MP for Atwima Mponua; Dr. Amoako Tuffuor, member of the NPP’s National Council; Mr. Thomas Appiah Kubi, Mampong Constituency NPP Chairman; 15 constituency executives; and the 525 polling station executives of the constituency.