The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians not to be swayed by handouts aimed at influencing their decision during the 2016 general election.

“This is a special year for Ghanaians. This election is not about GHC10 or GHC20 (handouts). It is about our future as a country. At this moment, access to education for all school-going children has become a headache for parents, because they cannot afford to pay fees for their wards.

"When someone is sick, it becomes a heart-wrenching moment, because our healthcare system is in a mess. This is not the Ghana we want,” he stated.

He made the comment on Saturday, February 27, at Atimpoku, in the Asuogyaman constituency, whilst attending, the final funeral rites of the late Nana Asafo Adjei II, ex-Krontihene of the Akwamu Traditional area.

Nana Addo further wondered if President John Mahama had any idea about the unprecedented levels of economic difficulties and hardships the Ghanaian people have been plunged into under the 2-term government of the National Democratic Congress.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, President Mahama’s assertion, in his State of the Nation Address, delivered on Thursday, February 25, that the country’s healthcare delivery system has seen massive levels of improvement under his tenure proves that the President has lost touch with the concerns of the ordinary Ghanaian and the realities on the ground.

“Is Mahama living in Ghana with us?” the NPP flagbearer asked, adding that “or, perhaps, he is living in a different country. We all know the difficulties and hardships that confront us in this country. He has no idea what Ghanaians are going through.”

He continued, “We in the NPP have done it before. In order to tackle the difficult economy the NPP inherited in 2001, President John Agyekum Kufuor put an able team together and, before very long, Ghana had become the success story of the continent. Akufo-Addo will do the same.”

The NPP flagbearer, therefore, urged the people of Atimpoku to give him the opportunity to turn the dwindling fortunes of Ghana around, so the country can be returned onto the path of progress and prosperity.

“Give me the opportunity and support me. Have confidence in me. This is my third attempt, and I am appealing to you to try me also, and, I can assure you that, with God’s guidance, I will not disappoint you,” he added. Nana Akufo-Addo also introduced the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Kwame Adu Darkwa, to the people of Atimpoku.

The NPP flagbearer appealed to the gathering to help the NPP retain the seat by voting for Kwame Adu Darkwa as the new Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman.

The incumbent NPP MP for the constituency, Hon. Kofi Osei Ameyaw, it will be recalled, did not contest the NPP parliamentary primaries. Paying glowing tribute to the late Nana Asafo Adjei, Nana Akufo-Addo explained that the late Chief was “one of the founders of our party, who helped nurture it to become the biggest political party in Ghana. After his passing, we deemed it necessary to come and pay tribute to our fallen patriot in testament to the work he has done for Ghana and for the NPP.”

The NPP made a cash donation of GHC2,000 donation to the family of the late Chief.