Alan commends Akufo-Addo for ‘Rise and Build Tour’

Former flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has commended his party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for embarking on his ongoing nationwide tour aimed at preparing the party for the 2016 general elections.

According to Alan Kyerematen, who joined Nana Akufo-Addo on his ‘Rise and Build Tour’ in Koforidua on Wednesday, September 9, the consolidation of the party’s base is one of the key steps towards securing an NPP victory in 2016.

“When you are fighting an incumbent, it is not an easy task. History tells us that elections in Ghana are always tight affairs. So before you can say you’re going to win, you must first consolidate your base. We must not lose a single vote from an NPP sympathiser or supporter,” he said.

He continued: “If we are to consolidate our base, then it hinges on the ‘Rise and Build Tour’ Nana Akufo-Addo is embarking on. If we leave it to chance, party members who hold grudges may not even turn up at all to cast their ballots. So, Nana, I commend you for embarking on this tour. We need every single vote”.

Underscoring the need for a decisive NPP victory in 2016, Alan Kyerematen called regional and constituency executives, as well as all parliamentary candidates, to ensure that the party’s field operations are centred on polling station activities.

He further urged them not to wait for the ‘official launch of the campaign’ before they also begin campaigning, adding that “the structures are already in place, and campaign in your respective constituencies must begin now”.

To the parliamentary candidates, the former Minister of Trade under the Kufuor government, urged them to maximise and protect the presidential votes.

“We have to be minded about the fact that the political system Ghana finds herself in is one of an ‘Executive Presidency’. If you don’t have a President, you are not in power. Whilst campaigning for yourselves, remember that it is when Nana Addo becomes President that you, as an NPP MP, will get the solid grounding you need in Parliament,” he explained.

On the NPP’s message for the 2016 election, he urged the executives, together with their parliamentary candidates, to craft messages that will touch the hearts of their constituents.

“Apart from the NPP’s impressive record, between 2001 and 2009, which is there for all to attest, we must also tell them, through our vision, that we can provide a better government, any day, to the NDC”, he said, stressing also that “our campaign must not only be centred on the radio.”

Alan Kyerematen ended by admonishing party executives to ensure the party’s election machinery on “D-Day” is well-oiled and ready.

He stated that “we are currently calling for a new voters’ register. However, all this will come to not if our polling agents, on election day, are not good at monitoring the process. We can have polling station executives who are good at party activities, but may not necessarily be good at policing the ballot. In selecting our polling station agents, we must be very mindful. We need quality agents who can monitor the vote.”

Alan Kyerematen was addressing party faithful in Koforidua, comprising of regional and constituency executives, as well as the parliamentary candidates and their competitors from the New Juaben North, New Juaben South, Abuakwa North, Abuakwa South, Akuapem North, Akuapem South, Okere, Asuogyaman, Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Suhum, Ayensuano, Fanteakwa North, and Upper West Akyem constituencies.