General News of Sunday, 16 March 2008

Source: GNA

"I would create a "new Ghana"- Nana Akufo-Addo

Cape Coast, March. 16, GNA- The Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Saturday said, he would create a "new Ghanaian society, built on the principle of truth and value for human rights", when elected president.

He said the "new Ghanaian society" he would create, would also be built on a good foundation of good governance, freedom of speech and rule of law, laid by President John Agyekum Kufuor, adding that, he would transform the national economy into a more vibrant one. Nana Akufo-Addo said this at a rally in Cape Coast, where he was introduced to the public as the presidential candidate of the NPP. He was accompanied by most of the candidates, who contested him in the presidential primaries.

He said he was ready and committed to move the country out of poverty, corruption and injustices, "to a more democratic country, where there is rule of law and freedom of speech," and called on the supporters of the party to vote for him to achieve this dream.

Nana Akufo-Addo gave the assurance that he would be a leader, who would help improve upon the living conditions of the average Ghanaian and that he "would make history in the politics of Ghana, when President Kufuor hand over power from an NPP government to another NPP in January 2009."

Touching on the discovery of crude oil in the country, Nana Akufo-Addo said he would put in place a system that would effectively manage the revenue that would be accrued from the sale of the oil, stressing that, he would insist on transparency in the oil business so as not to create unnecessary problems for the country. Nana Akufo-Addo said his government would also go into the production of salt in large quantities, since the demand for it was high on the international market.

He appealed to those who have attained 18 years and those who have no voter identify cards to endeavour to register, to enable them to vote in the elections.

The other candidates, who contested Nana Akufo-Addo in the NPP primaries, also addressed the rally, and described Nana Akufo-Addo as a capable person, who could win the December elections and urged the supporters to vote massively for him.

They advised the supporters to remain resolute and committed to the party and not to engage in campaigns of insults and violence. Nana Akufo-Addo also visited the Zongo chief and the Omanhene of the Oguaa traditional area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, as well the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where he addressed the students. He commended the UCC students for their massive support for the NPP, stressing that it was their support, which won the NPP the Cape Coast constituency seat.

Osabarima Atta II, congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo for his election as the NPP flagbearer, and called on his supporters to close their ranks and emulate Nana Akufo-Addo by not engaging in politics of insults and violence.

Among Nana Akufo-Addo's entourage were, Ms Christine Churcher, MP for Cape Coast constituency and Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister. 16 March. 08