Takoradi, Sept. 30, GNA - Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, a presidential aspirant of the new Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the use of tribal, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds in partisan politics could create conflicts, divide the country and polarise the people. "We don't want such divisiveness in Ghanaian politics and persons who use it should be avoided and criticised" he said.
"We are one people who want a leader who will unify but not one who will divide-and-rule based on religion and other choices instead of competence," he said.
Nana Akuffo-Addo was addressing constituency chairmen, polling station executives and other party faithful at Takoradi on Saturday. He said electing a presidential candidate for the NPP should not divide the NPP and that the party should emerge from the congress strengthened.
Nana Akuffo-Addo said similar changes had taken places several times without any divisions and all aspirants must respect this tradition. "Losers should unite behind the elected leader and join hands and ensure success of the party."
"Let all aspirants be content with the outcome of the December 22 congress, everyone is a potential winner and loser and so everyone must be prepared for victory or defeat," Nana Akuffo-Addo said. He said the NPP could be better organised than other parties but if the leader was not visionary and results oriented, the party could suffer. Nana Akuffo-Addo therefore appealed to delegates not to elect out of fear but they should be bold and elect a competent person to lead the NPP to win the December 2008 elections. 30 Sept 07