Five welcome Akufo-Addo’s decision to contest
Five leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have welcomed the decision of the party’s 2012 presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to seek the party’s nomination for the 2016 elections.
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Speaking to some executive members of the party after the declaration, they said Nana Akufo-Addo’s pronouncement to contest for the third consecutive time did not come as a surprise because majority of Ghanaians and supporters of the NPP had already called for his return.
They are the Communication Director of NPP, Nana Akomea; Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Mr Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah; MP for Kwabre East, Mr Kojo Frimpong; the Ashanti regional chairman of NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly referred to as Chairman Wontumi and an aspirant for the General Secretary position , Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoah.
Nana to contest
Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday at a press conference in Accra declared his intention to contest the party’s primaries for the presidential ticket in the run-up to election 2016.
His decision, according to him, came in the wake of a consultation with key party leaders and grassroot supporters which he said served the supreme interest of the NPP.
Even before Nana Akufo-Addo officially voiced out his intention to contest, hundreds of party supporters who had already gathered at his Nima-based residence, shouted “we want Nana Addo”.
Nana Akomea on NPP supporters
According to a former MP for Okaikoi South, he would have been shocked if Nana Akufo-Addo had come out to say something differently than his decision to contest.
“Listening to the insistent calls from the supporters who had gathered at the Nana Akufo-Addo’s premise today and those in other regions, it would be difficult for anybody to ignore the people,” he said.
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Nana Akomea, however, said the decision of Nana Akufo-Addo to contest for the third time did not mean that other people would not contest, and added that “when the bid is officially open, we expert other members to also declare their intentions”.
Mr Darko-Mensah on Nana’s personality
The MP for Takoradi, who could not hide his joy, described Nana Akufo-Addo as the “Mandela of Ghana”
“Nana Akufo-Addo after serving the party and Ghana for the past 40 years and at age 70 still has a strong conviction and a true determination to serve his country. That is what I call a true mark of a leader,” he said.
Mr Darko-Mensah said the experience and background of Nana Akufo-Addo made him the best choice for the 2016 elections, and added that “I will support him at any given day”.
Kojo Frimpong on Nana Akufo-Addo’s popularity
Mr Frimpong said if Nana Akufo-Addo had ignored the call of the people and retired, he would not only be surprised but “his decision would have meant that he no longer has the interest of the party at heart”.
“Tell me who is popular than Nana Akufo-Addo in Ghana and I will put you to shame. Nana Akufo-Addo’s popularity in the party and Ghana makes him the best person to lead the nation,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi
The Ashanti regional chairman of the NPP repeated his clarion call on the party’s prospective flag bearer aspirants in the next delegates’ congress to back down on their decision, once Nana Akufo-Addo had declared his intention to contest again.
“Now that Nana Akufo-Addo has accepted to run again, I think the best decision for any party member with the intention to contest for the same position would be to back down. This is because nobody would bring the massive support to the party than Nana Akufo-Addo,” he said.
According to chairman Wontumi, it would also ensure unity within the party and strengthen it for the 2016 general elections,and added that it would be extremely difficult for any political party to win elections without unity.
Mr Boasiako on Nana Akufo-Addo’s chances
For the General Secretary aspirant, Mr Asamoah, there was no better news to hear in the party than for Nana Akufo-Addo to declare his intention to contest for the lead position of the NPP in the 2016 election.
He, therefore, called on supporters of the party to rally behind Nana Akufo-Addo since he remained the best candidate ahead of the 2016 elections.
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