NPP Presidential aspirants who turned up for the party’s rally at Tema yesterday August 5, 2007 were totally disappointed as their desire to speak to thousands of NPP followers at the rally, never materialized.

The aspirants turned up in their numbers with the hope of addressing the party at the rally, to mark the climax of the 15th anniversary celebration of the NPP.

Their supporters were there in their huge numbers, some carrying placards with various inscriptions, but in the end only two of the aspirants had the privilege to speak to their followers. National executives who spoke to Peace FM on why they denied the aspirants the privilege to speak to party supporters, said it was a day for former officers, and since only two of the aspirants had served the party, they would be asked to speak. The privileged two (former National Organiser), Nana Akufo-Addo and the man often described as ‘General’ i.e Dan Kweku Botwe (former General Secretary), were allowed to address the supporters because they had served the party as national officers before.

Mr. Dan Botwe as then General Secretary led the party to two election victories. He shared his experiences with the party and urged party members to remain united to ensure NPP victory in 2008. Nana Akufo-Addo said NPP must work together for the growth of the party and pledged the unity of the party after the election of a presidential candidate.

He said the NPP would remain united and whoever would be elected as the candidate by the delegates, will enjoy the support of all aspirants. Papa Owusu Ankomah, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Nkrabea Effah Darteh, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Felix Owusu Agyepong, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, Yaw Osafo Maafo, Dr. Addo Kufuor were among the aspirants present at the rally but never had the privilege to address the party members. They were not happy as the look on their faces indicated. Allan Kyeremanteng and Hackman Owusu Agyeman were absent.