The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has rounded off his 2-day tour of the Western Region, with a clarion call to regional and constituency executives, as well as parliamentary candidates and their competitors, to close their ranks and ensure the NPP becomes the majority party in the region after the 2016 elections.

In urging the party to close ranks, Nana Akufo-Addo made a passionate appeal to all members of the party in the Western Region to work hard with a sense of unity and purpose, so the NPP assumes the reins of leadership in the country come January 2017.

As leaders in their various constituencies, the NPP flagbearer called on the newly elected parliamentary candidates to take on the responsibility of bringing everybody onboard in their respective constituencies.

In particular, he charged the parliamentary candidates and aspirants from the Tarkwa Nsuaem, Jomoro, Ellembelle, Evalue Gwira, Ahanta West and Shama constituencies to put aside any differences from the parliamentary primaries and deliver an NPP victory in their constituencies in the 2016 election.

“I believe strongly with co-operation, we can become, again, the majority party in the region,” he said.

He reassured the gathering that, despite the happenings in the party and his continued efforts towards ensuring oneness prevails in the party, he remained focussed on the mandate entrusted into his care by the over 125,000 delegates who elected him in the October 2014 presidential primary.

“I intend to remain focussed on the main task ahead, which is how to mobilise the majority of Ghanaians for a change in 2016,” he added.

Nana Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, September 24, when addressing a gathering of party faithful from 14 constituencies in the Western Region. The constituencies were the Wassa East, Shama, Essikado-Ketan, Sekondi, Takoradi, Effia, Kwesimintsim, Mpohor, Ahanta West, Evalue Gwira, Ellembelle, Jomoro, Tarkwa, and Prestea Huni-Valley constituencies.

Eid Celebration

Earlier Thursday morning, Nana Akufo-Addo joined Muslims at the Jubilee Park in Takoradi to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. Accompanied by party stalwarts from the region, and national figures and executives, Nana Akufo-Addo made a cash donation of GH¢4,000 to the Chiefs and Imams for the celebration of the Eid.

Courtesy call on Supomu-Dunkwa Chief

Nana Akufo-Addo also paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Supomu-Dunkwa, Nana Pansor IV. The Chief made an appeal to the NPP flagbearer for the construction of a senior high school in the area, when he wins the 2016 election, considering the high number of school-going children who drop out from the area.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who has been consistent over the years in stating that education will be a priority of his government, duly obliged and assured the Chiefs and people of Supomu-Dunkwa that, when he is elected President, he will respond to their passion for education by ensuring that a Senior High School is constructed for the area.

Additionally, he also indicated that his government will put Ghana’s economy back on track, which will then ensure the creation of jobs for the teeming masses of unemployed youth from the area, and in Ghana.

“Ghanaians will look for you in the day”

At Yabiw, Nana Kwamina Wianu II, Chief of Yabiw and Acting President of the Shama Traditional Council, assured Nana Akufo-Addo that God will reward his perseverance in 2016, as time has shown that all he wants to do is to improve the livelihoods of Ghanaians when he wins the election. One of the Chiefs who was present at the meeting, Nana Amakye II, who had met Nana Akufo-Addo before, reminded him of the statement he had made to him earlier “that he should not be discouraged by his previous defeat, for the time will come when Ghanaians will switch on the light during the day to look for you to lead this nation. Ghanaians all over the country are today calling out for you. That time has come, and the time is now.”

Interaction with fisher folk

The NPP flagbearer also interacted with fisher folk at the Aboadzi beach, with a firm commitment to them that his government will create the requisite conditions for a thriving fishing industry.

Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied on his Western tour by NPP 1st Vice Chairman, Freddie Blay; NPP National Organiser, John Boadu; NPP National Women’s Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba; former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Trade and PSIs under President Kufuor, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Trade and Industry under President Kufuor, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; former Minister of State under President Kufuor, Elizabeth Ohene; former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Information, Stephen Asamoah Boateng; Political Assistant, Francis Asenso-Boakye; Press Secretary, Eugene Arhin; Campaign Aides, Iddrisu Musah ‘Superior’ and Pius Hadzide, together with regional stalwarts like Ben Kwaw, Acting Western Regional NPP Chairman; Hon. Joe Ghartey, 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Essikado Ketan; Hon. Papa Owusu Ankomah, former Minister in several portfolios under President Kufuor and MP for Sekondi; Hon. J.B Aidoo, a former Western Regional Minister under President Kufuor; and Nana Owusu Ankomah, former Western Regional NPP Chairman.