Two weeks ago, the largest opposition party in Ghana, The New Patriotic Party, elected Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as their flag bearer for the 2016 presidential elections. We salute the men and women on whose shoulders fell this onerous job, and thank them for a job well done. We salute Nana Akufo-Addo for his well-deserved victory, and the other contestants for a well fought contest, especially the runner up Mr. Alan Kyeremanteng, for his maturity and sportsmanship.

 The election of the flag bearer is over, but the real test continues. The main goal is that the party should emerge and stay united after the congress, and the time is now ripe for all the contestants to rally around the eventual winner. The party should put aside the internal strife and bitterness; direct their rage at the corrupt ruling party, the National Democratic Congress in the 2016 general election.

The NPP can and must win, but it will require the absolute solidarity of all the party faithful. The behavior of the party leaders, the contestants and their supporters constitute an important cue to followers outside. Repudiation of Nana Akufo-Addo by any of the losing factions or an exhibition of any divisive behavior will spell doom for our party.

 As a matter of urgency, Nana Akufo-Addo should start unity consultation on the formation of a united front to campaign for and win the forthcoming elections. These consultations should be genuine, and not attempt to heal wounds inflicted on the party after the tense, gruesome and sometimes acrimonious campaign. To make the party stronger and better, Nana Akufo-Addo will need the support and prayers of all party faithful. Unity and friendship should begin now and all hands must be on deck without anger, recriminations or rancor. All should work together for the good of the party.

 The next two years will be very exciting. Much was achieved during the recent campaigns, thanks to the extraordinary drive and efforts of the contestants and their able lieutenants. They should use the same dynamism to make sure the party stays stronger and very much united, and that all hatchets remain buried. As Nana Akenten Appiah Menka said in Dallas, Texas USA a few years back, “In Ghana, individuals do not win elections, the party does.” This is the more reason why the NPP leadership should rally around Nana Akufo-Addo, so the party can go right onto victory with the battle cry of party unity, uniting for victory.

 In the interim, the flag bearer and all the other contestants should embark on a post congress unity tour of all the ten regions to showcase part unity and whip up enthusiasm among the party faithful, who have been divided as result of the acrimonious campaign. During the tour, the party should be able to not only whip up party enthusiasm, but also attract nontraditional NPP voters and bridge tribal divides, for the strength of the party should lie in the diversity for the people, cultures and religions.

 Our victory starts today. Our opponents are active and serious. They have performed poorly and will use any means possible to hold onto power. They have started planning on how to rig and steal the next elections like they usually do. We need to strike back, be vigilant, counteract their false propaganda and expound the achievements of the party the eight years that we were in power.

 Finally, Nana, all well-meaning Ghanaians wish you all the best. Ghanaians are crying due to the incompetence and criminality of this sick and useless Mahama led NDC misrule, ripe with corruption, divide and rule, create, loot and share, and tribalism. I will end by giving you one simple advice. In the words of Bahaullah, (founder of Bahai faith) “The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

 Ghana is one big family, and you should work to eliminate all forms of prejudice and promote the concept that we are all Ghanaians. One human family regardless of tribe, gender, religion, culture or any perceived barrier. Good luck Nana, the Elephant shall return.

 Submitted by Felix Gyabaa-Mensah

 Chairman, Cincinnati Chapter of NPP-USA