The New Patriotic Party’s Flagbearer, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akkufo-Addo has stated that the party will not misuse its incumbency advantage to rig this year’s general elections as being peddled by some people. Rather the NPP will convincingly win the polls to the admiration of not only the National Democratic Party, but to all other opposition parties.

He said, there is no need for any person or group of persons to presume that the NPP will, for any reason, rig the elections, adding that “we defeated the NDC from the opposition side while they were in power and we are more than capable, and even stronger now, to defeat them again”.

Nana Akuffo-Addo was addressing party supporters in London over the weekend. The meeting was part of his thanks-giving tour to thank the members world-wide for electing him to lead the party. He also used the occasion to make known his plans as the new leader of the party to the members and the Ghanaian populace in general.

He said, by tradition, the NPP believes in true democracy devoid of violence, cheat and anarchy. “For the love of the country, we will not do anything to put the peace and development of our dear nation into jeopardy, and the truth is that the people have confidence in us, and for sure, they will vote for us”. He said with confidence.

The NPP Flagbearer intimated that, if there is any party in Ghana that desire to have peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections, it is the NPP. He observed that NPP strongly advocated for transparent ballot boxes, photo voters ID cards, and for ballots to be counted at polling centres. “All these we did to ensure peace and development in Ghana”. He added.

Nana Akkufo-Addo said elections should not be a cause for violence and expressed dismay, regarding what he described as “message of doom” that there will be chaos after the general elections this year.

He proclaimed “nothing will happen, this election will be peaceful and we shall win.” He said those with doom messages will be defeated by the overwhelming majority of the people.

He expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission saying, the current EC was not put in office by the NPP but by the NDC, adding that the institution has organised four elections and each one was better than the previous.

Amidst cheers and a long standing ovation, he affirmed “we will do what the NDC could not do, that a two-term President, J.J Rawlings could not hand over to his vice, Professor Atta Mills, but come January 7th 2009, President John Agyekum Kufour will hand over the sword of the state to President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akkufo-Addo.

Nana Akkufo-Addo said the future of Ghana lies in the hands of the NPP and the party will do all it can to place Ghana on a very sound development and economic footing.

He said the world is looking up to a successful black state and with the NPP, Ghana will be what the world is looking up to. “We will improve our own lot by ensuring effective production and international marketing of our commodities so that we can be self sufficient and stop the shameful importation of foodstuffs.” Nana Akkufo-Addo said.

He acknowledged that there is the urgent need for Ghana to reduce her dependency on donors.

The UK and Ireland branch chairman of the party, Mr. Hayford Atta Krufi, catalogued the NPP’s eight-year achievement and said there was the need for continuity. He therefore appealed to members to register as voters in their numbers when the voters register reopens in March. He also urged those who cannot make it to Ghana to vote to urge their friends and relations back home to vote massively for the ruling party.