The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured Ghanaians that when the NPP is voted into office in this year’s elections, “the Industrial revolution of Ghana is going to take place, so that we can create jobs for the hundreds of thousands of young men and women in this country.”

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, unless Ghana industrialises with the goal of adding significant value to her primary products, the country cannot create the necessary numbers of high-paying jobs that will enhance the living standards of the mass of Ghanaians.

He stressed that raw material producing economies do not create prosperity for the masses, adding that the only way to the goal of ensuring access to prosperity is value addition activities in a transformed and a diversified modern economy.

Nana Akufo-Addo made this known in the evening of Wednesday, June 29, when he addressed a mammoth gathering at Kade, at the commencement of his 5-day tour of the Eastern Region.

In the presence of party stalwarts from the Eastern Region, Nana Akufo-Addo noted that “a leader who has love for his or her country, and has the vision or foresight of where he wants to take his or her country is the one who can help transform the lot of his people.”

He, therefore, reiterated his commitment towards the setting up one factory in each of the 216 districts, assuring that, “we (in the NPP) are going to do it. It is those who do not believe in the ‘can-do-spirit’ of the Ghanaian who always try to say it cannot be done.”

Nana Akufo-Addo cited the example of Cote d’Ivoire, a country which emerged from civil war some six years ago, which resulted in 100,000 displaced people and 3,000 dead as a result of an election dispute, as evidence of how purposeful leadership can transform a country.

“Because they have a good leader, Cote d’Ivoire is now the envy of her peers in West Africa. The number one investment destination in Africa now is Cote d’Ivoire. It has happened because they have a leader who has a vision and courage to move the country forward,” he said.

The NPP flagbearer, thus, appealed to Ghanaians to give him the opportunity to do for Ghana what Alassane Ouattara is doing for Cote d’Ivoire.

“We have to change Ghana, by building a new Ghana where the young people will have hope in the future of our country. This year, let us use our thumbs to change the fortunes of Ghana. I want the youth of our country to have hope that the poverty that has engulfed Ghana is not what God destined for us. I know if God gives us (the NPP) the opportunity, we will truly make Ghana the Black Star of Africa,” he said.

He assured the thousands gathered that he will “assemble a first class government made up of men and women with experience and wisdom. Entrust Ghana into the hands of men and women who have done things with their lives, and you can be sure that when you put things in their care, they will take good care of it.”

Massive crowds welcome Akufo-Addo at Asamankese, Akwatia
En route to Kade, Nana Akufo-Addo also toured the Lower West Akim and Akwatia constituencies.

On his arrival at Asamankese, in the Lower West Akim constituency, business and commercial activity came to a complete standstill as thousands of residents lined the principal streets to catch a glimpse of the NPP flagbearer, amidst ringing chants of “yeresesamu”.

Accompanied by the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the Lower West Akim constituency, Eyiah Kyei Baffuor; and incumbent MP for the constituency, Hon. Gifty Klenam, Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on the newly enstooled Chief of Asamankese, Osabarima Adu Darko II.

In Boadua, in the Akwatia constituency, Nana Akufo-Addo was equally met by thousands of residents who defied the heavy downpour in order to welcome the NPP flagbearer into the constituency.

Addressing the gathering, Nana Akufo-Addo urged them to vote massively for the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Mercy Adu Gyamfi, as she had shown that she has the welfare and concerns of the people of Akwatia at heart.