Does Nana Akuffo Addo Really Believe In Ghana?

- CPP Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Ghanaians

The time has come for all of us to ask ourselves a number of searching and fundamental questions, and to question seriously those who seek to be our Leaders.

These questions are needed following the agreement by the NPP Government and the vote by NPP members of Parliament to sell majority shares in Ghana Telecom to Vodafone UK.

Across the length and breadth of Ghana the campaign Bill Boards of Nana Akuffo Addo – Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) states boldly – “I BELIEVE IN GHANA”.

The decision by the NPP to sell 70% of GT shares however makes Nana Akuffo Addo’s campaign message a legitimate election issue and a matter for further public scrutiny. The questions that CPP members on behalf of all Ghanaians want to ask Hon Nana Akuffo Addo is this:

• What sought of Ghana Do you believe in?

• Do you believe that Ghanaians are capable of managing their own affairs?

• Do you believe in a Ghana where Ghanaians are in charge of their own destiny?

• Do you believe in a Ghana where the strategic assets are owned and controlled by Ghana and Ghanaians?

• Do you believe in helping Ghanaians to succeed in competing with the rest of the world?

• Do you believe in strengthening Ghanaian institutions to compete globally?

• Do you respect the wishes of Ghanaians?

• Do you really believe in Ghana?

We believe that Hon Nana Akuffo Addo has had ample opportunity in the years that he has campaigned to be the Presidential Candidate of his Party, to demonstrate his stated belief – “I BELIEVE IN GHANA” and has failed at every turn. The GT sale was the latest opportunity for Nana Akuffo Addo to stand firm against the sale to demonstrate his belief in Ghana and Ghanaians. His largely muted position spoke volumes and every Ghanaian now understands that his campaign message – “I BELIEVE IN GHANA” is simply hollow sloganeering.

A main principle of the CPP’s philosophy – Nkrumaism – is National Self Determination, and the CPP has demonstrated its belief and commitment to that principle repeatedly, with its positions on the sale of ADB, GT and other national issues. Our true belief in Ghana is also reflected in Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom’s 10 Point Agenda for Change, with his commitment to support Ghanaian Industry, Ghanaian Farmers, and Ghanaian Fishermen with low interest loans, technical assistance, tax incentives and priority access to the Ghanaian market. The CPP stands up for what it believes in. Many now doubt if the NPP Flagbearer stands up for what he says he believes in. His party and members of parliament have ignored the concerns of Ghanaians on the sale of GT, they have ignored the concerns of Ghanaian workers as expressed by the TUC, and they have ignored the concerns of religious groups as expressed through the Christian Council of Ghana. All amounting to a collective slap in the face of Ghanaians by the NPP.

Nana Akuffo Addo and the NPP must address this continuing inconsistency in what they say and what they do. It is important that they do this because at a time when nearly half of Ghana’s labour force is illiterate; millions more are unemployed; at a time when we have uneven economic growth which benefits only a handful of people and companies, at a time when we are experiencing growing inequality and diminishing economic opportunities have led to an unprecedented increase in crime; including armed robberies; at a time when the State has abdicated its responsibility of ensuring social justice for all, leading to a decline in the quality of life of our people - in 1999, a new-born child in Ghana could expect to live to be 63.1 years, but by 2006 the figure had fallen to 58.5 years. The number of children who die before their first birthday has risen over the past 10 years as a result of poverty and poor nutrition. The number of women who die in childbirth has also increased from 186 per every 100,000 live births in 2004 to 244 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007 – at this testing time Ghanaians need to be clear that the alternative visions on offer from political parties and party leaders are genuine and not gimmicks and empty slogans.

We believe that the NPP ‘s decision on GT will affect the decision that Ghanaians make on Nana Akuffo Addo and the NPP in December because when he says “ I BELIEVE IN GHANA” , Ghanaians are saying “WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT”

God Bless Our Homeland Ghana.

Communications Directorate – www.cppuk.org

info@cppuk.org

cppyouth@gmail.com