Traffic flow in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, was yesterday interrupted following the arrival of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the 2012 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate in the city.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister and his entourage arrived at the Kumasi Airport in Starbow airline around 5:30pm where he was accorded a rousing welcome by thousands of NPP faithful.
In a desperate attempt to catch a clearer view of the NPP presidential candidate the supporters were seen falling over each other, as he waved at them.
NPP supporters waved the party’s red, white and blue colours as its executives in the area, led by Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka ‘Wontumi,’ welcomed the astute politician.
The security detail of the ex-Akyem Abuakwa law maker had a daunting task trying to deal with the charged crowd bent on either touching Nana Akufo-Addo or shaking is hands.
Straight from the airport, Nana Akufo-Addo’s convoy moved to Aboabo, Oforikrom, Amakom, Asafo roundabout through to Adum before it finally landed at Georgia Hotel.
Virtually, all activities in the city came to a sudden halt, when Nana Akufo-Addo’s convoy passed through the principal streets as people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the top NPP man.
Drivers of commercial and private cars parked their vehicles by the shoulders of the road as they stretched their necks in an attempt to see Nana Akufo-Addo.
On arrival at the Georgia Hotel, Nana Akufo-Addo was met by a sea of party faithful that had stormed the place, to give a rousing welcome to their political idol.
The charged party supporters struggled for a chance to shake hands with Nana Akufo-Addo as the security men present tried to contain them.
By the time of filing this report, hundreds of charged NPP supporters in the city were seen lining up to at least shake hands with Nana Akufo-Addo who seemed thrilled by the spectacle.
It was speculated at the Georgia Hotel that Nana Akufo-Addo might address the NPP faithful. The crowd wanted to know if he would listen to their cry and lead the party once again in the upcoming 2016 elections.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who recently arrived from London where he had stayed for six months, was visiting Kumasi to pay homage to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday.
The historic visit was also to enable him to show himself to the thousands of NPP faithful in the region considered the party’s stronghold.