Akufo-Addo: ...most people wallow in abject poverty due to government's mismanagement

New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2016 presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the widespread despondency among Ghanaians shows clearly that Ghana is in crisis. In a message on behalf of the party to mark Ghana’s 59th independence anniversary celebrations, Nana Akufo-Addo said Ghana has been blessed with abundant human and natural resources, but most of the people continue to wallow in abject poverty due to mismanagement by the government. “It is unfortunate, however, that 59 years after gaining our independence, Ghana, a country blessed with an abundance of human and natural resources, is in a crisis – evidenced in widespread despondency, brought about by severe hardships, rising cost of living, high levels of youth unemployment, collapsed businesses, unprecedented strikes, demonstrations and increasing poverty. He added that “surely, this is not the vision of Ghana our ancestors had hoped for.”

 The NPP leader said that “it is critical that we take stock of what we have done with our freedom, and where we are now as a nation,” adding, “Our forebears who fought to liberate us from colonial rule believed that freedom is the primary end, as well as the means to development, with the well-being of each and every individual as both the goal and means of development.” .

He urged Ghanaians not to “despair and lose hope in the ability of our nation to offer her citizens a decent livelihood. Let us stride into the future confident that we will make it if we work at it.” Nana Akufo-Addo continued…“I am confident that we can transform our nation and use all the blessings that the Almighty has bestowed on us to bring prosperity to all our people. We can do it. God did not put us on this rich land to be poor. It is bad leadership that makes us poor.” “Let us believe in Ghana and do what is right by our nation, and thereby fulfill the dreams and aspirations of those far-sighted individuals who initiated the steps for our national freedom and independence. 

 He called for a level-playing field in the November general election, saying, “That is the best guarantee of the peace, stability and democracy of our country. As we head to the polls in this election year, it is important that we all work together with our public institutions to ensure that we have a level electoral playing field. We want free, fair and credible elections whose outcome will be readily accepted by all.”