Accra, July 1, GNA - Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyermanten, who is campaigning to be elected the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Election 2012, has called for peace and unity among members of the party. "I urge all my followers and supporters of the party to stay in peace and unity and to see each other as brothers and sisters of one family," he said. Mr. Kyerematen said this when he addressed NPP supporters and polling station executives in Aburi/Nsawam, Akropong and Okere constituencies as part of his campaign tour of the Eastern Region.

He called for cooperation between party executives and the rank and file in all aspects of the party's work to ensure a united front to ensure victory for the party in the 2012 general election.

Mr. Kyerematen said there was no bad blood between him and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and that they see each other as brothers. "Nana Akufo-Addo and I are brothers and we don't have anything against each other. We are both contesting the same position to serve our party and our people to the best of our ability."

"We are all ready to support anyone who wins the race to help bring the party into power", he said.

Mr. Kyerematen said as the pace setters of democracy on the Ghanaian political front, NPP always allows for competition to a fill a vacant position and what is happening now is just an expression of the democratic credentials of the party.

"When you are contesting for a position with your brother, it does not mean you are enemies or do not like him. We just are expressing different opinions of going about things."

He said in 2007 when the going became tough at the party's congress at the University of Ghana, Legon, to elect the flag bearer for the party to contest Election 2008 he stepped down for Nana Akufo-Addo. "Neither of us got the required percentage to win the contest as flagbearer and the tension at Legon within the party was so apprehensive as our own supporters were divided between me and Nana Akufo-Addo and our opponents, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were also at the other end praying for our downfall", he said.

Mr Kyerematen said by stepping down, he sacrificed himself for the party when nobody was willing to do so and this showed his commitment to the party.

"I have come back to you, the people I sacrificed for three years ago, seeking your votes peacefully and obediently to hold the flag to clinch power from the NDC and I believe that you will never disappoint me," said.