“I am not into politics to take bribes or be corrupt. I did not come into politics to line my pockets with the money of poor Ghanaians. That is not why I am into politics. I am clean, because I did not go into government (from 2001 to 2007) to steal money. The same way, when you repose your confidence in me and help me win the elections, I assure you that I will jealously guard the resources of the nation to the benefit of all Ghanaians.”

These were the words of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, June 19, at the end of day 4 of his tour of the Central Region.

Addressing thousands of residents in Ekon, a small fishing town in the Cape Coast South Constituency, the NPP flagbearer noted that in the desperation of his political opponents to sully his reputation, “they have looked everywhere, and still they have nothing against me. They try to say this and that, and to find something against me. But, up till today, there is nothing against me. This is because I was clean when I was in government. I did not go into government to steal money.”

Nana Akufo-Addo was speaking against the backdrop of what he described as the two-pronged issues that have caused the severe hardships and suffering for the Ghanaian people – a weak economy, and the rampant and widespread cases of theft and corruption under the Mahama government.

“Our economy is in a weak state, and that is why everything has become so difficult in Ghana. The cost of petrol and electricity have become unbearable. For fishermen who used to purchase premix fuel for GH¢1.80 a gallon at the time President Kufuor left office, they now purchase the same gallon for GH¢7.30. Likewise, outboard motors which used to sell at GH¢2,900 are now selling at over GH¢12,000. Our monetary system is weak,” he said.

Additionally, the NPP flagbearer noted that “the thievery of public resources has become too much under President Mahama. Bribery, corruption and thievery have become the order of the day under President Mahama.”

The legacy of the Mahama government, over the last 7 years, he said, can be found in the hardships and sufferings of the Ghanaian people, widespread poverty, the lack of jobs for Ghanaian youth, the high electricity and water tariffs, and the non-profitable nature of business, which have resulted in many cases of collapsed businesses.

To the teeming numbers of young men and women who have lost hope in the ability of Ghana to offer them a decent livelihood, Nana Akufo-Addo urged them not to despair, adding that, with the right leadership and the correct policies, Ghana’s dwindling fortunes can be reversed.

“Look up to me and the NPP. Open the door for me this year. Try me, and when you give me the opportunity, I will not disappoint you. One man has transformed the circumstances of his people, and now Cote d’Ivoire is now the envy of countries in the sub-region. I am asking Ghanaians to give me the chance to do for Ghana what Alassane Ouattara is doing for Cote d’Ivoire,” he added.

The NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated, “has the programmes and policies, as well as the men and women who can give this country a first class government to bring jobs, progress and prosperity to all Ghanaians. Have hope that when a good government is in office, they can fashion out proper policies to bring relief, wealth and prosperity to all. We are coming to fix Ghana.”

To the people of the Central Region, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed for their support in this year’s elections, urging them to “lend me your thumbs this year and push me to the Jubilee House. The Elephant is big enough to carry everyone, so we can transform Ghana and bring wealth and prosperity to all.”