Akufo-Addo drops 2016 hint

The 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has dropped the clearest hint yet that he intends to contest for the position of the presidential candidate of the party for the 2016 elections.

On Sunday, at the Dominican Centre, in Wood Green, London, Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the UK NPP branch for the significant support they gave him and the party during the 2012 campaign: “as we begin to prepare for 2016.”

Nana Addo thanked the NPP UK branch for renewing their confidence in him and urging him to contest for the NPP flagbearership for 2016.

“I am most humbled by this unshakeable renewal of faith that I continue to receive across the party and beyond. It has been a source of inspiration for me. I am most grateful,” he said.

He continued, “But, like I said, I'm using my time here in the UK to reflect on these very matters. I will in the very near future after I return to Ghana announce what God has for me in the future.”

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that his commitment, which he put before the Ghanaian people in 2012, of ensuring rapid and qualitative expansion of education, and the structural transformation of the Ghanaian economy remains unchanged.

According to Nana Addo, this vision remains the most effective and desirable programme for the future of our country.

“My commitment to it remains, therefore, unchanged. But, we must first be in office to be able to serve and deliver. It is, therefore, vital that we position ourselves in such a way as to make ourselves the irresistible choice for Ghanaians in 2016,” Nana Addo said.

According to him, the situation in Ghana today is one of endemic corruption, worsening economic hardship for the masses, struggling businesses and lack of jobs for the youth under a government that lacks focus, and only knows how to overtax and borrow, and not how to govern for the people.

“Ghanaians are becoming more and more convinced that the NPP is the party that can rescue the country and put us back onto the path of social security and prosperity. But, for that to happen, the NPP must remain focused on the ultimate task ahead, which is to stay united even as we compete among ourselves to reorganize. We need unity so that we can reinforce our front to offer a better and competent alternative to the people,” he added.

Commenting on the ongoing internal elections of the NPP, Nana Addo stated that the founding fathers of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition “turned their backs on building a party based on personalities and chose to build our party on ideas.”

As a party built on ideas, Nana Addo said, the NPP welcomes and encourages free speech and divergent views.

“However, we have also always accepted the view that once the majority have decided we all come together and go along with that popular decision. The ongoing contests for party positions are bound to throw up some difficulties, which we must and will overcome. Let us recognize that respect for the party's constitution and due process is the best way of dealing with all the various difficulties we are hearing about. We must work together to resolve our own problems. We cannot compromise on the unity of the party,” Nana Addo added.