NEW YORK, US: THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was the toast of the Muslim community – and the entire Ghanaian community in New York. ****

In the face of a very long and a stressful trip to New York (from Ghana), he paid a, historically, unprecedented visit to the Yankasa community, the largest Ghanaian Muslim community abroad. The atmosphere was highly charged after when Nana Akufo-Addo – needs no introduction in the Zongo community – suddenly showed up with his entourage, flanked by the National chairman of NPP-USA, Nana Agyei Yeboah and the New York chairman, Dr. Akwasi Achampong. The ambience, the euphoria, and the excitement of the exclusive event were overwhelming. Thanks to the committed members of the Nasara Club – that made it happen beyond everyone’s imagination. He humbly took his time to shake hands to virtually all the people present – and intimated with the teeming crowd before taking his seat. Although, it was a busy-working Monday, the good people squeezed time to meet – and interact with – the soon-to-be president of Ghana. Chief Imam Baba Gambo ushered the historical engagement with solemn prayers – and blessed the NPP presidential candidate. The president of the Yankasa Association, Mohammed Mardah, in his welcoming address, pleaded with Nana” Akufo-Addo not to forget the Zongo if he becomes the president.” He went on to ask for peaceful elections. ****

Nana Akufo-Addo in his opening address, thanked the Yankasa Association for such a great gesture extended to him. He laid down his indigenous Zongo profile: Born at Swalaba (close to Cow Lane), later moved with his parents to Nima – and still lives in Nima. He lamented on the repudiation of the NPP in the Zongo commonalities. He passionately expressed worry how the blatant lies and the propaganda of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) has unfortunately found a “fertile ground in the Ghanaian Zongo communities: Characterizing the NPP as an “anti-Zongo.” He wondered why the Ghanaian Zongo communities easily fall prey to such dubious propaganda and vote strongly against the NPP. He humbly urged, “we have to look at ourselves and do the comparatively analysis over which of these two main political parties (the NPP and the NDC), and find out which of them really have the Northerners/Muslims at heart. He recalled: In 1992, then candidate Professor Adu Boahen (May his soul rest in perfect peace) went to Kumpungu for Roland Issifu Alhassan; then candidate J.A Kufour went to Yendi for Aliu Mahama; he, Akufo-Addo has gone to Walewale for Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia. He reaffirmed his decision on, one more time, settling on Bawumia due to his excellent characteristcs: “Loyalty,” “brilliance,” and “hardworking” – among others. ****

Taking time to lecture: He reminded the much-silent-but-charged podium about the Second Republic’s Alien Complaint Act Order of 1970. He reemphasized that, that treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) grants residence to ECOWAS nationals in member countries. He queried: In the eight year term of the NPP government under the leadership of his Excellency former president J.A Kufour, no person from the Zongo community was victimized. He said that despite his devout Christianity, he has a strong believe and acknowledge inter-tribal, inter-religion, where we can co-exist, tolerate, and respect each other in the society. ****

Nana Addo wholeheartedly won the minds and hearts of members present with his resonating words. His good words were occasionally received with a spontaneously responses and applauds filling the air of the pandemonium. ** **

He humbly pleaded with members present to look at the NPP by its deeds and values. And said that, the NPP political party needs penetration in the Zongo community. ****

Game on! ****

Showcasing his worker power on a separate meeting (with a wider Ghanaian community), the 2012 presidential contender declared: This year’s election is a watershed election in the history of Ghana. ****

He promised that, if he wins the presidency, he will metamorphose Ghana from the neocolonial economy to an industrialized and a manufacturing economy. This will, indeed, help build Ghana to the admiration of – not only the rest of Africa but the world. ****

In reechoing his golden vision for Ghana’s educational system, he firmly assured the gathering that the free and quality SHS is feasible and a necessity policy for Ghana’s national development. According to him, that is a laudable policy to propel the nation – which over fifty percent of the population are illiterates – the next level of its development. But, the “Pharisees” are vehemently opposing. He recalled, in a similar fashion in 2008, when the NPP proposed the Northern Development Authority (NDA) to bridge the developmental gap between the north and the south, the then NDC running mate, Mahama, strongly opposed. Yet, turned around to plagiarize it, and named it Savannah Acceleration Development Authority (SADA). But, it has not even seen the light of the day since the NDC political party assumed office. ****

Corruption: He maintained that “public activity is a public service” –and his government will not tolerate corruption of any kind. ****

With the issue of President Atta Mills’s position (not being a policeman or a prosecutor to effect arrest) with the violence troubling the ongoing biometric voter’s registration (that has even resulted in the brutality of a woman in a broad “daylight”), Nana Addo asked, was the then candidate Atta Mills a policeman when he assured the people that he’ll spare no effort finding the killers of Ya-Na? ****

With MP Kennedy Agyapong’s arrest, as a legal luminary, he believes in the rule of law and justice for all and everyone must be judged evenly across board. He went to describe the embattled MP as a hardworking fellow who has contributed immensely to the nation: Helping the nation to discover a “gargantuan” amount of $52 million paid to Woyome as a judgment debt. ****

Following the recent outpour of media headlines, he said that, events at home – with its bushel of troubles – are not encouraging and made a bull call on Ghanaians to find a vehicle to express their views; voice their concerns in the governing of the country. He went further, to fervently call for a constant renewal of faith in Ghana’s political system. ****

He asked the leaders of the country to ensure peace – and not only peace for a political party but peace for the entire nation. He urged members present to call on their families and friends back home to go and register for the elections, as your vote is your power. THE THUMB POWER!****

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Jerry Amponsah (Sabbato)****

Communication Directorate****

NPP-New York****

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