Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded South Korea for the rapid transformation and modernization of its economy, stressing that his government – to be formed if he wins the 2016 elections – will emulate the East Asian nation.
“We believe that the example of [South] Korea, which began life as an independent nation at the same time and in the same shape as our own,” Nana Addo said, “is one we can effectively emulate in Ghana to spearhead the rapid transformation and modernisation of our economy and society, and, thereby, raise rapidly the living standards of our people.”
The two-time presidential candidate – heading into a third election – made these known at a conference organized by the International Democratic Union (ICU) in Seoul, South Korea.
Nana Addo delivered his speech on behalf of an NPP delegation which included the party’s National Chairman, Paul Afoko, and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong.
He delivered his speech on the theme: “Strengthening Freedom and Democracy: Meeting New Challenges.”
Nana Addo stated that the tradition from which NPP emanated “has been principally responsible for leading the fight for democracy in our country”.
He expressed worry how credible election seems to be eluding Ghana though polls remain critical for true democracy.
“My party went to the Supreme Court to contest the results of the 2012 elections and, even though the Court in the end gave a 5-4 split decision against us, there have been a lot of unintended consequences for the country. One was that, for the first time in our country’s history, judicial proceedings were televised to the public and this has helped to demystify the justice system to the ordinary people, which can only strengthen freedom and democracy. The proceedings also revealed the imperfections of our electoral system and led even the majority on the Court to call for reform.”
Nana Addo, however, underscored mass poverty as the biggest threat to freedom and democracy.
“This is what gives my party the strong desire to work to win power at the next elections in December 2016 to continue the work we did to critical acclaim between 2001 and 2008.”
He said if that desire comes to fruition, NPP will emulate the example of South Korea.
Copyright © 1994 - 2024 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
