Former Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has admonished President John Dramani Mahama to “listen to the advice of many well-meaning Ghanaians and make the lives of our people easier.”

Nana Addo lamented the state in which Ghana seems to be, saying the National Democratic Congress’ ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ has become “empty” and “cynical”.

Nana Addo made these remarks on Tuesday, July 29 when he launched his campaign to lead the NPP for the third time.

The ceremony took place at Akoto Lante in the Odododiodio Constituency of the Greater Accra Region.

In announcing his revived determination to lead the NPP ahead of the 2016 Presidential Elections, Nana Addo said endorsements and declarations of support for his candidature makes him the best bet for NPP to return to power.

“The journey to 2016, the journey to maintain the confidence of the great majority of Ghanaians for the NPP, secure that victory, and begin the all-important project to rescue Ghana and get Ghana working again has started.”

He advised President Mahama to listen to advice from the Minority in Parliament, for instance.

“For the moment we shall keep on praying for our President at the minimum to keep our nation together, and to alleviate the suffering of our people.”

He pointed out that at the heart of the country’s crisis is a lack of confidence in the leadership.

“The people have lost confidence in President Mahama and the NDC’s ability to govern,” Nana Addo said.

“This is clearly evident in the unprecedented nationwide demonstrations that have rocked this country, recently by the Trades Union Congress, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, health workers, workers in our educational institutions, railway workers, residents in some communities in Accra and other parts of the country protesting against the harsh conditions of life, including the poor condition of roads in their areas.”

He announced that from Wednesday, July 30 he will start his campaign in the Upper East Region to get re-elected as NPP flagbearer, calling on other aspirants “to be mindful of the fact that the people of Ghana are looking up to us so to conduct our affairs as to give them the confidence to trust us with the mandate to serve them once again.”

The party will hold a special congress on August 31 to prune the current 7 aspirants down to 5.