Bankrollers ditch NPP at K’si fundraising; 'Kayayei' now finance party

Events at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Ashanti Region, where the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its mammoth fund raising event over the weekend fuelled speculations that the party is in dire need, as its financiers are reportedly pulling their resources one after the other from the party.

Last Saturday, Head potters, mostly in the busy cities, who struggle to make a living for themselves, resolved that they would not want the NPP flagebearer to end up in what they called the Woyome-way and therefore reached into their pockets to support the party’s campaign.

According to the leader of the Association, Hajia Adiza, who’s popularly known in Kumasi as Hajia Adiza Zongo Pioneer, they donated the money to ensure that the party’s Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, does not go around begging for money to become President.

The head porters have in recent times criticized President Mahama’s performance, saying his administration has made life extremely difficult for them.

It would be recalled that ahead of the 2012 elections, Nana Addo promised to put up hostels to house the head porters should he become President. His proposal according to the NDC, was knee-jerk.

As part of the exercise, MPs in the NPP’s stronghold region alone donated Ghc 50,000 among several other donations.

The stadium was filled with members of the party clad in party colours. In attendance was the Flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, his Running Mate Dr. Bawumia, and other bigwigs of the party.

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, said there was the need to raise funds to support Nana Addo’s campaign.

Allegations flying in however is that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako was the man who allegedly commandeers his boys to get the GHC5,000, in GHC5 denominations to be given back to the party.

But in response, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was accompanied by the National Women’s Organiser of the NPP, Otiko Afisa Djaba, and was clearly elated at the warmth of his welcome, indicated that the NPP was borne out of a political tradition which strongly believes that private sector development is key to any nation’s quest for sustained development and improvement in the livelihood of its citizens. The party’s 8-year record in office, he said, is a testament to this fact.

“You, gathered here this evening, full of individual entrepreneurs and self-employed people, represent the private sector. I am of the strong belief that Ghana’s economic development should be led by the private sector.

"We have an abundance of entrepreneurial talents in Ghana which should be given the free rein to develop, and I can assure you that my government will provide a conducive and enabling environment for that to happen,” he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo further assured the hundreds gathered that the crippling tax regime, which has been imposed on Ghanaians under the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government, will be scrapped under his administration.

“Because of the high taxes imposed on every business activity in this country, including yours, businesses are being throttled. It is, therefore, no surprise that things are difficult in Ghana at the moment.

"Under my government, these taxes, imposed on you as a result of the mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy will be no more,” he said, to a rapturous applause from the gathering.

He continued, “Apart from the issue of taxes, our government will also work to bring down the cost of doing business, especially the high interest rates charged by banks to local businesses. The path to prosperity lies in strengthening local production and local businesses. An Akufo-Addo government is going to devote all its energies, wholeheartedly, to ensuring that this takes place.” This was met with a rousing ovation from the packed hall.

Victory for the NPP in this year’s poll, he said, will serve as the catalyst which will restore Ghana back onto the path of progress and prosperity. He pleaded for their active support to help achieve victory in November.