Greater Accra votes crucial to my victory - Akufo-Addo

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, has urged the electorate in the Greater Accra Region to vote massively for the party in next month’s general election, saying any presidential candidate that wins in the region is likely to become president.

“It has become a rule in our politics that whoever wins Greater Accra Region goes on to eventually win the general election and we hope to win the region this time around God willing,” he said.

He said it was vital for Ghanaians to vote the party into power to enable it end the suffering that they have endured for the past eight years.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the prediction when he addressed mammoth rally at Tema on Sunday to launch the party’s campaign in the region. It was dubbed “Operation Win the Greater Accra,” and attracted several thousands of supporters clad in the party’s paraphernalia.

A host of artistes were Nana Ampadu, Vasco Abrantee, Lucky Mensah, Kaakyire Kwami Appiah, Dada KG, Socrates Sarfo and Praye graced the occasion.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the NPP did not desire power for its sake but its plans and programmes outlined in their 2016 manifesto were carefully designed to alleviate the untold hardships the citizenry were enduring.

He mentioned high electricity tariffs, unemployment, high taxes, high cost of living and the ailing national health insurance scheme among others.

“Not only that we also have the men and women with the expertise to turn this bad economy around, adding that with Dr. Mahmudu Bawumia as the chairman of the next economic management team of an NPP administration, there was no way that Ghanaians would not heave a sigh of relief”, he said.

To those who criticised him for begging to be elected a president, Nana Akufo-Addo replied, “all powers of government spring from the sovereign will of the people” therefore it is proper that I appeal to them to give me the mandate to govern them to the best of my ability.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the revival of the NHIS, introduction of free senior high school, one-district; one-factory concept, Zongo Development Fund and the introduction of a capital budget every year to make available $1 million to each district for development were not mere campaign promises, but a real commitment that he was making to the people of Ghana.

He said the problem facing the country was not about lack of resources rather it has more to do with mismanagement and corruption, adding that the right leadership would redeem the people.

The NPP flagbearer and the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, Ishmael Ashitey, introduced the party’s 34 parliamentary candidates to their supporters.

Mr. Ashitey predicted that the party would win 58 per cent of the popular vote in the Greater Accra Region and 25 out of the 34 parliamentary seats.

Hajia Samira Bawumia, wife of the NPP running mate – Dr. Ahaji Bawumia- said the NPP had dedicated competent and selfless leadership that would put smiles back on the faces of Ghanaians.

Earlier, Nana Akufo-Addo took his campaign message to Kpone, near Tema, where he stated that he has always spoken on the issues affecting Ghanaians and proffered solutions to these challenges.

According to him, unlike others who have no campaign message and have rather made him the subject of incessant character assassinations, his campaign has been devoid of personal attacks and insults to his opponents.