The National Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Dr. Josiah Aryeh, has endorsed the candidacy of Nana Akufo-Addo, the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, pledging the full co-operation of the NDP ahead of the 2016 general election.

According to the NDP Chairman, Ghana is in a “critical stage” and is hopeful that under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, the change Ghanaians are desperately yearning for will manifest.

“We believe that, in you (Nana Akufo-Addo), we can have the sort of leadership that we need for that change. We are in danger of falling into the pits of kakistocracy and I think that we here are too level-headed, broad-minded and open-minded to allow these things to go on,” Dr. Aryeh said

The NDP Chairman was of the firm conviction that Ghanaians, who voted for John Mahama and the NDC in the 2012 election, have regretted their actions, explaining that “I believe that Ghanaians have learnt each time we go through the electoral cycle. We bear the pain of those we think ought to be there (leading us), but aren’t there and this time round, (in 2016) we want to make sure that we stand shoulder to shoulder, with all like-minded Ghanaians, to ensure that Ghana gets the best.”

Dr. Aryeh made these remarks when he called on Nana Akufo-Addo, on Monday, November 3, to congratulate him on his emphatic victory in the NPP presidential primary. Nana Akufo-Addo won with 94.35% of the valid votes cast.

He explained to Akufo-Addo that the leader of the NDP, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, who was to have led the delegation, was temporarily indisposed. The NDP Chairman was accompanied by Mr. Hayford Amoako, General Secretary of the party, Mr. Gaisie, Director of Operations of the party, Ernest Owusu Bempah and Ms Yaa Adusei, both part of the communications team, and Alhaji Frimpong, Director of Research and Development.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on his part, welcomed the message of solidarity and the “outstretched hand of co-operation” from the NDP, urging that regular meetings and the sharing of ideas should take place, as “we can’t go to sleep and wake up in 2016 to prepare for battle.”

“I am sure all of us are clear in our minds that we want the best for this country, a country that has tremendous potential. And if we all put our shoulders to the wheel in an honest and patriotic manner, we should be able to get a good result for Ghana, in terms of progress of our nation and satisfying the demands of our people for a better life,” Nana Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “All of us, who see that a much more proactive and enhanced Ghana is possible, should work together to make it happen. I am not asking people to leave their parties to join the NPP, but we can definitely collaborate and co-operate to bring about the change in our country. That should be the first thing in the minds of us all.”

Present at the meeting were Mr. John Boadu, NPP National Organiser; Ms. Otiko Djaba, NPP National Women’s Organiser; Mr. Sammy Awuku, NPP National Youth Organiser; and Dr. Kwame Amoako Tuffuor, a member of the Party’s National Council.