General News of Sunday, 23 March 2008

Source: GNA

Akufo-Addo urges Muslims to vote for the NPP

Nkawkaw (E/R), March. 23, GNA- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on the zongo communities to vote massively for the party at this year's general elections.

He made the call, when he addressed Muslims at the Nkawkaw Zongo in the Kwahu West District of Eastern Region on Friday, to introduce himself to the people.

The NPP flag bearer urged the Zongo communities to consider what the NPP government had done for them and vote for the party. "DO not be deceived by any political party or individuals that the NPP belongs to only the Akans", he cautioned.

He said the party was made of all categories of people from different ethnic background including Muslims adding that, it is only the NPP that had chosen a Muslim as it's vice-president since the inception of multi party democracy in 1992.

Nana Akufo-Addo assured the people that his campaign team was made of matured politicians, who would conduct their campaign in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of insults, bitterness, rancour and acrimony and urged all the political parties to abide by the rules of the game to ensure violent free elections.

He said it was the responsibility of every Ghanaian to ensure that the December general elections were organized in a peaceful and credible manner.

Nana Akufo-Addo observed that, Ghana's integrity as one of the most peaceful country in the sub- region over the last seven years of president Kufour and the NPP government should serve as a testimony for Ghanaians to retain the government in power. He said the NPP government under President Kufuor's administration had made giant gains in the country's socio-economic and political development, which needed to be continued by him.

Nana Akufo-Addo urged those who had attained 18 years to register to enable them to vote for NPP to continue the good work the government has started.

He expressed the hope that the Kwahu area, which was one of the strong holds of the NPP would continue to maintain its loyalty and unflinching support for the party to remain in power in the December 2008 elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo cautioned the NPP supporters to ensure that good candidates are selected to lead them in all the constituencies in the Kwahu area.

The Spokesperson for the Zongo community Mallam Kamara appealed to Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that the difficulties Moslems go through every year when going on a pilgrimage to Mecca are solved, when he becomes the next President.

The Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng assured the party faithfuls that the party would retain all the 22 seats and even work hard to increase the seats at the December elections. He urged the party supporters to avoid complacency and work harder to insure a massive win in both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied on his tour to the Kwahu area by Papa Owusu Ankomah, a defeated presidential aspirants of the party, Mr Solomon Fordjuor, a leading member of the party, the Kwahu North District Chief Executive, Okakyire Adusah, MP for Nkawkaw, Dr. Osafo Mensah, MP for Mpraeso, Dr Aggrey Ntim, Minister for Communications and Ms Gloria Akuffo, Minister for Aviation. 23 March. 08