Akufo-Addo Defends Kufuor

...And raises party morale
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took his first bold steps towards his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party in the 2008 general elections with a two-day tour of the Upper East Region, which ended yesterday.

The purpose of the tour, which took him to all 8 districts and 13 constituencies in the Upper East, was two-fold: first, to allow the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD to interact with his party executives and members on the state of the NPP in the Upper East Region and share ideas on how to improve the fortunes of the NPP in the Region.

Second, Nana Akufo-Addo, who has already announced his intention to seek for the presidential nomination of the ruling party once the campaign to elect the next flag bearer officially begins, also used the opportunity of this re-familiarisation tour to consult the party in the Upper East Region on his presidential intentions.

But, the general sentiment of the party executives and rank and file was, according to a source close to the Cabinet Minister, “a very encouraging mix of disillusionment and hope.”

The members, who sacrificed to get the NPP elected on two consecutive national ballots, feel their efforts have not been sufficiently rewarded by the government. But, they are at the same time confident and hopeful of things to come.

In the Foreign Minister’s own words, “Indeed, the work of our government and the outstanding dedication of our foot soldiers, who continue to keep faith with us in the spirit of numerous challenges give us hope that the clear message of the NPP continues to inspire confidence in the good people of the Upper East Region.”

The MP for Abuakwa South and former National Organiser of the Danquah-Busia Club gave the same message to all the party people he met: that President Kufuor had little choice but to focus on putting the country on a stable platform. And that “the time to reap is closer than our opponents would want us to believe.”

The NPP rank and file listened attentively, describing Nana Akufo-Addo’s words as most encouraging. A party executive member at Guru-Tempane said, “It is refreshing. Nana is not saying Kufuor didn’t look after you. But I am the one to do so. He is defending the government that he is part of. But, also saying that because of the work we have done and your patience, there is more in the near future for us all. And, we believe him because he is a true party man.” Another NPP executive at Bongo said, “I think Nana has shown why we all want him. He has shown that he is a true leader. For instance, he said everything the NPP has done is a collective effort under the able leadership of President Kufuor. This is the kind of leader we want. Modest but confident.”

Nana Akufo-Addo told his party members at Bolgatanga, “In 2001, faced with a national economy in reverse gear, and a public perception that the New Patriotic Party was full of book-long people, President Kufuor had to take certain decisions, which meant making choices. The priority was to set the conditions that would stabilise both the economy and the political situation.” He reminded the people that some politicians gave the NPP less than 90 days to survive. “They accused us of being book-long. But, we have shown to the country and the whole world that we can more than deliver, given the opportunity.” He advised his party members to keep up their spirits and continue reminding the country that “the NPP was the only party with the project to bring peace, unity and prosperity to all.”

His message was, “What is good for the party is good for Ghana. And, what is good for Ghana must be good for the party.”

He said the good, responsible and objective leadership being “consistently and expansively” rendered by President Kufuor to the nation at large is what would ensure that the NPP is voted back into power by the general electorate. In his interaction with regional and constituency party executives of the NPP at the Upper East Region, those Nana Akufo-Addo met described him as “a true party man.”

They said they recalled how he was in the trenches with them and sacrificed finance and time to keep party offices running.

Some described him as the man to unite the country behind the single most important project – accelerated development in freedom for all Ghanaians. To prove this point, at Bawku Central, Nana Akufo-Addo was forced to address beyond the small core of party executives. A group of party activists, notably from both the ruling party and the opposition National Democratic Congress demanded he addressed them.

Complying, he told the people to keep or transfer their faith with and to the NPP. He described the Capitation Grant and the NHIS as two of the most radical social welfare systems ever introduced to Ghana since the First Republic and it was done by the only party that has the practical solution to Ghana’s problems.

He also used the visit to familiarise himself with the challenges, problems and strengths of the party at the regional level so as to get a better grasp of the situation on the ground.

Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his delight at the very frank interaction he had with the party executives and members and indicated his resolve to brief the party at the national headquarters, as well as the President on the state of affairs of the NPP at the Upper East Region.