Alfred Adam and Zam R. Samin Sekondi
18 August 2008
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia were the toast of the Sekondi-Takoradi fans when the duo arrived in the twin-city to participate in the party's Annual Delegates Conference. Thousands of the residents came out of their homes to cheer them as they drove through the principal streets of the metropolis.
The same scene was enacted when they arrived at the conference venue and Takoradi Polytechnic park yesterday. Addressing thousands of party supporters at the mammoth rally, Nana Addo promised Ghanaians that his priority would be education, when he is given the mandate to lead the country. He said, the fact that parents complained about the lack money should not stop them from educating their children to the highest level, which his government would make possible.
Nana also promised that his government would transform the Ghana Railway Company. According to him, US$90 million had already been secured to tackle some of the Company's problems and that more money would be released in due course. With the oil discovery, Nana said more businesses will be set up in the Western region and therefore called on the people not to make the mistake to vote against him and his party.
Touching on Dr. Bawumia as his running mate, Nana said the man had already achieved a lot on the economic front ever since President Kufuor appointed him as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. He hoped Dr. Bawumiah would support his government to bring about economic transformation in the country.
Earlier at the congress venue, President John Agyekum Kufuor said that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's selection and subsequent endorsement was a distinct honour and great responsibility that the party had given him. 'We hope you will bring on board your network of professional colleagues and associates to support the cause of the party as vice President. May Allah help you and accept my sincere congratulations'.
The President added, 'your handsome face and youthfulness is also a lucrative asset to the party'. Dr. Bawumia, a Mamprusi from the Northern region, was seen nodding his head, with his wife Samira Bawumia sitting by his side. This was at the 16th Annual Delegates conference of the party, held in Sekondi on Saturday.
According to President Kufour, with the selection of Bawumia as a running mate, what was important was for the party to help him to secure the total support of the electorate. President Kufour disagreed to the suggestion that this year's election was not about comparing of records. To the President, the choice of selection of any leader must be based on his or her track record. 'So if we don't do this, how would the electorate settle on the best choice', he asked.
He said, the NPP as a party would continue to remind Ghanaians how it has improved the tottering economy that the NDC left behind, and how it had worked to reduce inflation. He appealed to Ghanaians to give the mantle of leadership of the country to his successor, Nana Akufo-Addo, who he described as competent to continue with the improvement of the economy. 'Nobody can hide the economic performance of the NPP with respect to the number of banking institutions and investors which have thronged our country", he noted.
According to the President, with the best economic programmes initiated by his administration, Nana Akufo-Addo would lead Ghana into economic prosperity, and by 2015 the sky would be the limit for this country. Development initiated by my administration has been accepted by Ghanaians, but the opposition NDC has refused to see anything good about it. On corruption, President Kufour mentioned the enactment of the Procurement Act as one of the measures put in place by his government to check the canker.
On his part, Mr. Peter Mac-Manu conceded that though the party was disappointed with the voters' registration exercise, it would nonetheless aid the Electoral Commission to conduct a free and fair election in the country.
Mr. Mac Manu, however, called on party supporters to remain united and avoid acts that would draw the progress of the party backwards. 'We must not allow our personal ambitions to override the greater ambition of the party to stall our victory'. Where we allow internal conflict to suck our blood, we ultimately destroy our party'. As a result, the supreme interest of the party should be our guide.
Mr. Manu reminded supporters of the party who have threatened to vote 'skirt and blouse' as a result of the problems that characterized the party's primaries, to desist from that since it could affect the chances of the party. 'The NPP is about to make history and need all members on board for the history'. The party chairman reminded supporters of their duty, to support and protect the integrity of the party at all times.
BAWUMIA'S PLEDGE
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on his part told the congress that he had always been an ardent believer and practitioner of the liberal democratic values and principles of the Danquah-Busia tradition.
'I have been inspired throughout my life by the thinking, deeds, sacrifices and accomplishments of such great political icons of our country and the party as such'. According to the running mate, he saw his selection as a victory for the party. 'I see it as a demonstration of its maturity, open mindedness and progressiveness. It is a testimony of the great men and women entrusted with the affairs of the party to think outside the box'.
He conceded that he is not known in political circles but said he had been at the apex of the economic platform. 'And I am proud to say that I have contributed to the economic achievements of the NPP under the leadership of His Excellency J.A. Kufour', he said.
Considering the arguments that he is not known in the party, Dr. Bawumia assured the supporters that his commitment and loyalty to the party and its ideals and principles were deep and unflinching. He pledged his loyal support to the Flag bearer in their collective effort to secure another mandate for the party. 'I am truly one of the family. I sincerely look forward to working with Nana Akufo-Addo, the leadership and particularly with you, the hardworking foot soldiers of our party, in order to ensure a one touch victory in December and beyond.
I wish to make an open promise to you that my doors will be opened to each and every one of you and I look forward to developing personal friendships with as many of you as possible. Victory cannot be won without you. The party belongs to you and we must serve you. It is your sweat, sacrifice and tenacity over the years that have built up this great party. I therefore see my selection to support our Flag bearer as a call to serve you at all times and in all circumstances', Dr. Bawumiah told the cheering crowd.
Introducing the running mate to the congress, Nana Akufo-Addo told the supporters that it was in the interest of the party and Ghana that he eventually settled on Dr. Bawumia as his running mate. "I have chosen my running mate with respect to precedence in the party to include every tribe on board. This manifests the unity of our country that every tribe is fully represented in the image of the NPP.
I have chosen a young man of 45 years, whose family is well known in the history of our politics and who has had a rise and found the confidence of our sitting President, John Agyekum Kufour, who appointed him as Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana.
I have known him for sometime, the name attracted my attention and heard of his economic policies that he has done to support our government. He has my confidence, trust and belief that he is an asset to our party and government".
On his part, the vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama also described Dr. Bawumia as affable, handsome and the best ticket to take the party to victory. He therefore appealed to the supporters of the party to pass on the confidence and trust they reposed in him as vice President to the running mate.
This is because, 'I have total confidence in Dr. Bawumia and I am sure you will like working with him'.
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