Sika nnto aba: Akufo-Addo tells delegates not to be influenced by cash

It was a vintage platform performance of Akufo-Addo - humour, sound-bites, humility, self-confidence, wisdom and conviction. He ended his speech by telling his party to vote for a person who has, at least, a record of competing and wining elections.

That winner should be a person who commands the respect and love of the rank and file and has the political leadership to unite the party, mobilise the masses and give the country, strong, compassionate, decisive and progressive leadership after 2008.

After articulating why he best fits the bill, Nana Akufo-Addo stated emphatically, "Sika nnto aba! Nnipa na eto aba”

His conscience-pricking message to the December 22nd National Congress of the New Patriotic Party is this: “Money does not vote; people vote.” Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing a large crowd, including about a thousand NPP constituency and polling station executives of all ten Kumasi constituencies at the Cultural Centre last Friday. The event was carried live across the Ashanti Region by a number of independent radio stations.

The presidential aspirant told potential delegates to resist any attempts by any aspirant or their supporters to use the name of the President or any other authority to influence their votes. “Tell any such candidate to stand on his own two feet. He should run his campaign on his own record.” To claims that the President may be behind a particular aspirant, Nana Akufo-Addo saw that as merely a re-affirmation of where the ultimate power lies: “If the President or DCE could by themselves choose the next flag bearer, then there would be no need for them to approach you as it is being claimed.

"You are the frontline custodians of the tradition. The party rests on your thighs. Don't compromise on this. The NPP is not a Kasapreko party, where one man's choice is the command of all the others. Since J B Danquah’s days, we have always chosen our leader by popular consent through the ballot box. Let us not compromise this rich tradition. You should choose the candidate that you know you can easily and confidently market."

Beyond that, Nana Akufo-Addo reminded the NPP that President John Agyekum Kufuor had recently stated publicly at a party function in Okai Kwei North, Accra, that he was not behind any particular candidate and that he was ready and willing to work with whoever the party chooses at the December congress. In the Abuakwa South MP’s view, the NPP Congress is known for making the right decision since its birth. "1992, Albert Adu Boahen – correct decision! 1998, John Agyekum Kufuor – correct decision! 2007, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, correct decision!" he stated to thunderous applause from his audience at the open-air amphitheatre setting.

At the special campaign programme, the aspirant took the opportunity to address several concerns facing delegates for the nomination, including the potential of a split, and the religious and ethnic dimensions some campaigns are being allegedly conducted.

He also addressed the propaganda against him. His simple response: "They know if they don’t find something false and negative to taint me, the 22nd December congress will be a 'one touch’ victory for me." Read more in tomorrow’s edition