NPP Germany Congratulates Nana Akuffo Addo

The Germany Branch of the New Patriotic Party[NPP] wishes to congratulate Nana Akuffo Addo for stating categorically that the NPP will not give in to the politics of intimidation come 2012.We are indeed proud that we have a leader who is ready, willing and prepared to stand up against the machinations of the lawless NDC to perpetuate itself in power through the use of violence and intimidation.

This statement, in our view could not have come at a better time. It comes at a time when the NDC and the Mills-Mahama administration are feverishly preparing, training and arming their youth to cause mayhem in the 2012.Against this backdrop, it would be irresponsible and unacceptable for the NPP and indeed Ghanaians to remain unconcerned and adamant to these developments. Nana Akuffo Addo was simply articulating the views and concerns of not just the rank and file of the NPP but the entire Ghanaian populace. Ghanaians are peace loving people and would want to have a fair, transparent and peaceful elections in which their democratic choice would be respected devoid of threats and intimidation.

The NPP,as the most peaceful and democratic political tradition in Ghana’s history, believes in the rule of law and the right of the people to elect leaders their own leaders. This also imposes a duty on us to stand up and defend these values which we so much cherish . It is in this light that we fully and wholeheartedly support the position taken by Nana Akuffo Addo in his February 8 2011 statement.

Recent events in Akwatia, Chereponi and Atiwa should leave no one in any doubt about the intentions of the NDC in 2012.Having failed in governance, they would attempt to use all dubious means including violence and intimidation to hold on to power at all cost. Nana’s call was to remind all Ghanaians to defend their votes even it would mean sacrificing our lives so be it. The right to self-defence is a legitimate and acceptable principle both in our domestic law as well as under international law. Events in Egypt and other parts of the world should serve as a constant reminder that people all over the world are no more prepared to tolerate governments or political parties that resort to the use of brute force, violence and intimidation to maintain their hold on power.

Not surprisingly,the NDC propaganda machinery has been making a vain and desperate attempt at portraying this statement as ‘war mongering’. The aim of this crude and often unsophisticated propaganda is two fold. First to portray our Flag Bearer as a ‘war monger’ and secondly to divert attention from their failures and the mess in which our country finds itself under the NDC government. Every student of history knows that Nana Akuffo Addo has spent more than 30 years of his life fighting tyranny and dictatorship in this country.Nana Addo fought and resisted Acheampong’s Union government, stood up against the tyranny of Rawlings’s AFRC, challenged the PNDC dictatorship and campaigned against NDC misrule. Some of the rights and freedoms we take for granted today can be attributed to the sacrifices made by Nana Addo and other like-minded Ghanaians who took a stand against vicious tyranny, repression and brutal dictatorship.

The reaction of the NDC should not surprise anyone in any way. Having lied their way to power and found unable to govern for nearly two years due to their own internal wrangling coupled with the complete lack of leadership and direction, they are attempting to change the entire political discourse. It is rather too late for them because Ghanaians have realised it was mistake to have voted for them in the first and would show them the exit come 2012.

The NDC must be reminder that the real war mongers are the ‘jihadists[Baba Jama] who not only declared jihad on the people of Akwatia but actually carried it out, the ‘Cat killers’ who are advocating for a repeat of what happened to the three high court judges in 1982,the candidate Mills who threatened in 2007 that Ghana would look like Kenya if he does not win the 2008 elections. These are the real war mongers who unfortunately are in government and misruling our country today.

Finally we wish to assure Nana Akuffo Addo of our unflinching support and our determination to stand by him to ensure that the NPP is voted into power in 2012 to salvage our country and our people. Nana we salute and congratulate you for your decisive and inspirational leadership.

Kwaku Anane-Gyinde

Director of Communications

NPP- Germany