Please come back in 2016 - Students plead with Akufo-Addo

The presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2012 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been advised by group of students not to give up on being the presidential flag bearer of the party in 2016, in order for him to be able to bring to fruition, his plans for free education, even as he’s taking his rest in the United Kingdom.

The group, which calls itself the Free SHS Now Prayer Group, made up of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) leavers who could not further their education because of financial constraints, has appealed to the defeated NPP candidate not to entertain any idea of quitting politics.

The students, who engaged in fervent prayer intercessions day and night in the heat of the 2012 electioneering campaign, hoping Nana Ado would secure the mandate and implement the popular Free SHS Policy, claim their hopes are still in the former NPP flagbearer, and want him to contest the 2016 elections.

According to them, they believe that it is only the victory of Nana Addo that will open the opportunity for poor students like them to pursue their education, and guarantee them a better future.

In an appeal letter written to Nana Akufo-Addo, the group noted that they were still hopeful that the NPP flag bearer had unfinished business that must be fulfilled, and that any decision on his part to back out would be suicidal for the party, and Ghana as a whole.

They noted that, in as much as they agreed with Nana Addo’s decision to take a break from active politics, they were pleading with him not to take the decision to mean his final exit from the political playing ground.

In the statement, which was signed by its National Coordinator, Andy Owusu, the group made reference to a book authored by a popular Pastor, Joel Osteen, titled “Your Best Life Now,” which says “Don’t Quit, Don’t Complain and Don’t Give Up”, encouraging the NPP former flagbearer to remain strong and steadfast in moments of difficulty and despair.

“We are in the middle of the road, so don’t dream of leaving us astray, as the Lord has already chosen you to fight his battle for him. Remember, Nana, that the Battle is Still the Lord’s, and without leadership we can’t get to the Promised Land,” the group emphasized.

The students asserted in their letter that the widespread commendations from both the local and the international community, after the Supreme Court verdict, is an attestation of Nana Addo’s unique peaceful nature and leadership capabilities, which the country requires to realise its dream of ensuring socio-economic development for the citizenry.

They further noted that in this era of stiff political competition, a political institution like the NPP still recognised the importance of selfless and bold leaders like Nana Addo to lead it against its opponents