Politics of Saturday, 15 March 2014

Source: Daily Guide

More delegates visit Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, yesterday received another batch of party executives at his Nima residence in Accra.

Since he returned from London last week after a six-month break from active politics, party faithful from all walks of life have been calling on him to urge him to consider vying for the flagbearership race for the 2016 general elections.

When he left for London last year, Nana Akufo-Addo promised to return with a definite answer on whether or not he was going to contest for the presidency the third time in 2016.

Meanwhile, he has hinted that he is going to announce his decision on his political future next week Thursday.

The first group to call on him was made up of executives, MPs and leading members of the NPP from the Central Region, which was led by Robert Kingsley Kutin, the newly-elected Regional Chairman.

He told Nana Akufo-Addo and his team that they were working hard to increase the number of seats in the region.

He said bickering among the rank and file, especially executives in the various constituencies, affected the party in the last election and so the current regional executives had resolved to address all concerns to ensure a united front in 2016.

The Regional Secretary of the party, Kwamena Duncan, told Nana Akufo-Addo, “We are only waiting for you to declare. We are ever ready to support you.” Nana also urged all party members to exercise restraint, adding, “I am going to tell you what I think next week.”

He said, “In our great tradition, there is always keen contest but what we have to remember is that after everything, we have to forge ahead in unity.” Nana Akufo-Addo maintained, “Some are even saying that I am walking with the aid of a stick but you have all seen me yourselves today; so please, disregard such rumour.”

Delegates from the Western Region

The Western Regional executives, MPs and leading members, led by their Chairman, Kofi Atta Dickson Nketia, aka Kendicks, also welcomed Nana Akufo-Addo. He described the NPP stalwart as “somebody who has served the country well” and was optimistic that the NPP would unseat the NDC in 2016 for Nana Akufo-Addo to become President.

Delegates from Upper East

The Upper East delegation, led by Chairman Adams Mahama, was also there to pay homage to Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Mahama promised an effective grassroots mobilization to ensure that the NPP becomes stronger in the region.

Nana Akufo-Addo praised the qualities of Adams Mahama and said, “We have a loyal hardworking young man as our Chairman in the Upper East, and I know if he continues with this he will be a chairman worth following.”

Last Monday, the Eastern Region took its turn. The Regional Chairman, Kiston Akomeng Kissi, former MP for Akwatia, led the delegation.

The party’s vice presidential candidate for 2012, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; Campaign Manager Boakye Agyarko; former AMA boss, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson; former MP for Ayawaso West Wugon, Frema Osei Opare; among others, supported Nana Akufo-Addo to welcome members of the various delegations.