Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Elections 2012, on Tuesday pledged to build a prosperous society, which will create opportunities for all citizens, reward creativity, honesty and hard work.

“My goal is to provide transformational leadership where there is discipline and fairness, where people go about their lives in a free and responsible manner, a society where there are safety nets for the vulnerable and decent retirement for the elderly.

“An open society protected by well-resourced and motivated security services and where the rule of law works,” Nana Akufo-Addo stated at the Institute of Economics Affairs’(IEA) platform dubbed: “Evening Encounter with Presidential Candidates,” in Accra.

Nana Akufo Addo spotting black suit with navy blue shirt without a tie stormed the Kofi Annan International ICT Centre venue for the encounter with troops of NPP leading members including Dr Mahamudu Bawumia his running mate, some national and regional executives and Members of Parliament.

The NPP Flagbearer declared: “Ghana needs effective leadership, leadership which is honest, competent and determined to deliver. A leadership of conviction which is committed to fighting corruption and dedicated to the welfare and wellbeing of Ghanaians.

“It is clear that corruption has become rampant in these last few years, robbing us of much needed resources for our development. I am determined to fight corruption aggressively, and I can do so, because I am not corrupt, have never been corrupt, and will demand the same of my team.

“Accountability and transparency are the hallmarks of good governance. Ghana needs this, Ghana deserves this and I, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, pledge to deliver this to the good people of Ghana”.

He assured the electorates that the party has a team, a dynamic and competent team, to implement plans designed to transform the lives of the people and develop in Ghana, a free, democratic, modern African state – one that can hold its own in a competitive world.

“I am privileged to have a deep pool of talent of men and women in the NPP to draw from, as well as from the broad spectrum of Ghanaian talent, home and abroad, to turn the dreams of freedom and prosperity of our forefathers into reality.

“We have a clear vision of where we want to take Ghana and a detailed road map of how to get there. But in order to make the journey, we humbly need you, fellow citizens and fellow Ghanaians, to make a decisive choice on December 7th and give us your mandate.

“Together, we will transform Ghana and use all the blessings that the Almighty has bestowed on us to bring prosperity to our people and nation”.

Nana Akufo-Addo stated: “I do not underestimate the challenges we face in trying to achieve these goals, especially since many of you do not trust politicians because of the many broken promises.

“But I want you, the Ghanaian people to give me the opportunity to serve you differently. I want you to trust me. I am no stranger to you. I have stood with you all my adult life, fighting for our individual and collective rights.

“I am proud of what we have so far achieved in political and civil rights. The next struggle is for economic progress: transforming our economy for opportunities and prosperity for us all, regardless of the circumstances of our birth.

“I am strong in my conviction and confident that we can do it. I know we are capable. Let us be strong and courageous. God did not put us on this rich land to be poor. It is bad leadership that makes us poor”.

Nana Akufo-Addo also used the platform to pay tribute to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, whose demise necessitated the postponement of the event for two weeks.

He, however, encouraged Ghanaians to be proud that together we are building a democratic state, a Ghana being governed by the rule of law.

“We have just gone through a unique period in our history, dealing with the death in office of a sitting President. When put to the test, our democratic institutions rose to the occasion.

“The transfer of the Presidency was peaceful, smooth and constitutional and we should all be encouraged by the way the system worked. It strengthens those of us who have fought all our lives for democracy to flourish in Ghana, for it shows that constitutional democracy is the best form of governance for our beloved nation,” he noted.

The NPP Flagbearer admonished all to cherish and protect the precious democratic values, which form the basis for the unity and progress of Ghana.

“We may have our differences, but what joins us together is more important. We are one Ghana and I am totally committed to working to ensure peace and unity for the Ghana project.

“I congratulate our new President, John Dramani Mahama and new Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur on their assumption of office and wish them well in their brief, caretaker role.

“Their most important responsibility to Ghana is to ensure that we have a peaceful, free and fair election in December. Ghanaians expect nothing less. My party and I are totally devoted to Ghana’s peace and stability, as we have always been.

“We, famously, demonstrated this in 2008 when, despite the narrowest of losing margins, we did nothing to jeopardize the stability of the nation and lived up to my pledge of not allowing a single drop of Ghanaian blood to be shed.

“I pray to God that all other stakeholders, especially the Electoral Commission, the ruling party and the security agencies, also make a genuine commitment to work towards a peaceful election, one that is free from fraud, intimidation, harassment and violence”.