Two-time presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says what Ghana currently needs most is honest government.

He observes that there is a large pool of human capital available for the country “and we only need to harness it to turn our dreams of a prosperous country into reality.”

Nana Addo was speaking at an awards night held in Accra on Wednesday, April 30.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate in the 2008 and 2012 elections received the flagship award, 2013 Most Influential Personality.

The award ceremony was under the auspices of e-TV Ghana, a privately-owned television station in Accra.

“I thank etv-Ghana for this initiative and I thank the public for the great honour done me by voting me as Ghana’s Most Influential Personality for the year 2013,” Nana Addo acknowledged.

He was named recipient of the award mainly because of the position he took after the declaration of judgement on the election petition in 2013.

He pointed out that accepting decisions of the law has been his creed growing up.

“I am glad that, when put to the test on my often stated beliefs, I was not found wanting.”

He called for inspired leadership for the country especially in difficult times, noting that “throughout history, it is when things are at their most difficult that there has been the need for great leaders.”

But he says that is eluding the country currently.

Nana Addo mentioned that though Ghana needs leadership in all sectors to develop the nation, those in politics are accosted often as their decisions affect leaders in the other sectors.

“As the business community is discovering in these tumultuous times, the most astute business person is bound to struggle if there is a loss of confidence in the political decision-making process and the management of the national economy,” he said, “and as we have all been told recently in rather dramatic circumstances, even the business of saving souls suffers when the Bank of Ghana makes unexpected decisions.”

Nana Addo was grateful to the organizers.

“It is good to be able to show that standing up for the rule of law and demonstrating strong leadership have their rewards.”