The first vice chairman and director of elections of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), honorable Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has called on Ghanaians to reject the opposition New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate who is asking voters to try him and see what he can do as president. The NDC stalwart who was a cabinet minister during the late president Mills’ administration made the pronouncement during the NDC’s campaign launch at the John Evans Atta Mills Sport Stadium in Cape Coast on Sunday August 14, 2016.

In what is arguably one of the most powerful, insightful and energizing political speeches in recent times, Ofosu Ampofo eloquently espoused the qualities, virtues, and success stories of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government. According to the NDC vibrant, president John Dramani Mahama’s achievements which are predicated on his sterling leadership qualities are conspicuously evident throughout Ghana, Africa and the whole world. In a speech which was spiced with biblical quotations and proverbial references, Ofosu Ampofo proclaimed that president John Dramani Mahama has proven without a shadow of doubt that he is a peace loving, capable, visionary and down to earth leader who has a pageant for bringing people together even under very difficult circumstances.

“President John Dramani Mahama has made the NDC and Ghana very attractive for everyone. As the president, he has safeguarded the peace and tranquility which was bequeathed to him by the late president Mills. Ghanaians are able to go about their businesses knowing that their safety and security is guaranteed under president John Dramani Mahama”. Ofosu Ampofo declared. The former minister of state categorically cautioned Ghanaians not to vote for Akuffo Addo because he has failed abysmally to show leadership in his own party and as a result failed miserably to settle countless internal squabbles within the NPP which is now disintegrated and has failed as the largest opposition party in Ghana. Ofosu-Ampofo mocked Akufo Addo’s “try me and see” campaign message and stated rhetorically that governance is not like palm-wine drinking episode which allows a potential buyer to taste and determine its sweetness or otherwise.

In reference to the biblical Joshua, Ofosu Ampofo postulated as follows; “my fellow Ghanaians, I place before you today, two candidates and urge you to choose one for yourselves. I have a peace-loving, all inclusive, and a visionary John Dramani Mahama who has kept us safe and secure under his leadership. There is also a candidate called Akuffo Addo who is chaotic, dismissive, intolerance and incapable of uniting his own party. His message is TRY ME AND SEE but I wish to caution Ghanaians that governance is not like palm-wine drinking spree”. Ofosu Ampofo stated that Ghanaians cannot afford to make a mistake when it comes to choosing the right person for the high office of president.

According to Ofosu Ampofo our tradition as a country under the democratic dispensation teaches us that presidents are given their maximum eight year terms to execute their plans for our country. Ghanaians gave it to former president J.J. Rawlings and J.A. Kuffuor respectively and the late president J.E.A.Mills would have been given his full tenure but for his untimely death. It is the time of president John Dramani Mahama and therefore he deserves four more years to continue his agenda of changing lives and transforming our dear country Ghana. Honorable Ofosu Ampfo urged all party members to go out there and fight for every single vote to ensure a resounding victory for president John Dramani Mahama and the NDC during the December elections.
In a related development, former president Jerry John Rawlings intimated that by their actions and inactions, the NPP has demonstrated that they enjoy being in opposition and that they will remain there “for a very long time”. This was seen as a surprise jab to the opposition party which have in recent times attempted to bask in the fortunes and goodwill of the political icon. The former president whose presence at the stadium was greeted with thunderous applauds from the gatherings gave one of the shortest speeches on the occasion. Similarly, the security details in and outside the stadium had a tough time controlling the cheering and ecstatic crowd when President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur and their entourage arrived at the stadium.

By: Abraham Ohene-Akrasi.
Email: aoakrasi16@gmail.com
For and on behalf of: Vanguards for Democracy (V4D).