Diaspora News of Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Source: New Statesman

Ghanaians in London urge Akufo-Addo to contest 2016

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday night graced the second anniversary of the inauguration of “Nana Addo Ladies” in London.

The group, a Non-Governmental Foundation aligned to the NPP with the objective of assisting Nana Addo’s bid for the presidency, honoured both the former NPP Flagbearer and his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, at the colourful occasion, which was characterised with calls by Ghanaians in London on Nana Akufo-Addo to stand once again as the NPP Flagbearer.

Special pleas were made for Nana Addo to reconsider his decision to postpone the announcement of his intentions, whether to remain in front line politics or take a backstage position.

The chairman of the occasion, Kofi Frimpong, said the nation is in a state of “political and economic reverse”, adding that the quicker Nana Akufo-Addo returns to politics, the better it would be for the nation.

In his address to the gathering, Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation for the honour bestowed him and said he was appreciative of the calls for him to return to front line politics.

Nana Addo who likened his break to the American Basket Ball term of "time out," said he would return to Accra after the break and announce his political future.

He said since 2007, he had not had a break from politics and therefore felt the need for it after the 2012 presidential election petition.

He reiterated his respect for the decision of the Supreme Court even though he did not agree to it.

He pleaded with Ghanaians to continue to work hard and support the nation's choice of democracy.

Nana Akufo-Addo also appealed to members of the NPP to remain calm during the party’s impending internal election of officers, and join hands to ensure that the contest is carried out in a dignified manner.

He said the NPP remains the only hope for Ghanaians, explaining "in an era where poverty has kept many children outside the classroom, there is a need for the NPP to come to power so that we can implement the free public school education to enable children to go to school.”