The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo has stated he is “not disturbed” by discordant voices within the membership of the party, who have made it a point to express “negative views” about him.

He admitted it is a price that comes with leadership.

“I’m not disturbed, because I understand that this is the price of leadership,” the presidential candidate noted during the inauguration of the campaign sector committees of the NPP.

“All members of our party have a role to play in the party’s victory, and I am calling on all members to work hard towards our victory. I welcome everyone’s contribution. I have always stood and will always stand for the collective,” he added.

The committee is tasked with the formulation of the policies and programmes the party will be presenting in the campaign to the Ghanaian electorate ahead of the conduct of this year’s polls.

The 18 sector committees, comprising a total of some 150 members, are also to articulate the party’s messages in their respective areas, defend the party’s messages and contribute to the making of the party’s manifesto.

The ceremony, which had Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo; C.K. Tedam, Chairman of the Council of Elders; Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, MP, Minority Leader in Parliament; Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, National Treasurer; Otiko Afisa Djaba, National Women’s Organiser; Sammy Awuku, National Youth Organiser; Kamal Deen Abdulai, National Nasara Coordinator; Peter Mac Manu, Campaign Manager, and members of the National Campaign Coordinating Committee attending, took place at the Nima residence of the NPP flagbearer.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that the party was undertaking the final processes of its preparations for election 2016, having completed 273 out of 275 parliamentary primaries, and inaugurated all regional campaign teams and a majority of constituency campaign teams.

The inauguration of the sector committees represented one of the final steps towards positioning the party for the battle ahead to wrestle political power from the incompetent Mahama government, and return the country back onto the path of progress and prosperity.

The newly inaugurated campaign committees are in the following sectors: Economy; Trade and Industry; Agriculture; Employment; Energy; Roads and Highways; Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Education; Health; Science, Technology, Innovation and Environment; and Local Government. The rest are Foreign Affairs; Governance; Public Accountability; Security; Gender, Disabilities and Children; and Youth and Sports.

These committees, Nana Akufo-Addo added, will help formulate policies that, God-willing from January 2017, will be implemented by a competent team so that the Ghanaian people will gain relief from the hardships and suffering they are currently facing under the incompetent Mahama government.

‘”The difficulties facing our people are there for all to see and feel. As a result, Ghanaians are calling for the return of the NPP. We must answer the call. We need to show the Ghanaian people that we are, indeed, ready, willing and able to transform the fortunes of our country. I need your active support to reach this goal, for which I was elected by an overwhelming majority of the grassroots of the party,” he said.

Below are the chairpersons of the various committees, who will act as their spokespersons:

SECTOR COMMITTEES

1. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Economy 2. Mr. Alan Kyerematen Trade/Industry 3. Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto Agriculture 4. Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng Employment 5. Mr. Boakye Agyarko Energy 6. Hon. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi Roads/Highways 7. Hon. Joe Ghartey Infrastructure (Communications, Maritime and Railways, Water & Housing) 8. Hon. Christine Churcher Natural Resources 9. Dr. Daniel Anleu-Mwine Bagah Education 10. Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh Health 11. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng Science, Technology, Innovation & Environment 12. Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama Local Government 13. Hon. Isaac Osei Foreign Affairs 14. Mr. J. Ayikoi Otoo Governance 15. Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu Public Accountability 16. Hon. Dominic Nitiwul Security 17. Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful Gender, Disabilities and Children 18. Hon. Isaac Asiamah Youth and Sports