Accra: Don’t be deceived by empty promises in 2016 – Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, has appealed to residents of Teshie not to be deceived and swayed by empty promises in the run-up to this year’s elections. The former Foreign Affairs minister said the electorate must cast their votes based on their current living circumstances. According to him, voting in this year’s election should be devoid of politics of tribalism and ethnicity, but, rather, on competence and the track-record of the various political parties and their respective candidates, and their ability to deliver decent standards of living for the citizenry.

Touring the Ledzokuku Constituency on Wednesday, Nana Akufo-Addo, at Teshie Maami, recounted how, on the 28th November, 2006, the Minister of Fisheries, the late Gladys Asmah, secured a $200 million facility from the Chinese government to construct three fishing harbours at Shama, Elmina and Teshie. The NPP flagbearer explained that before the project could fully take off, the NPP lost power in 2008, and after the NDC, under President Mills, assumed office in 2009, the project was abandoned.

“With two months to the holding of the December 2012 elections, specifically 19th September, 2012, then Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Fisheries was here in Teshie and announced the construction of a $250 million fishing harbor for Teshie. Till date nothing has happened,” he said.

“We cannot govern a country on the basis of deceit. The fishing sector has collapsed. There are no jobs. If we are to change our circumstances, then we need people who will come and return Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity. Mahama can’t help us. We have to change Mahama this year so Ghana can move forward, so the youth can find jobs to do,” the three-time presidential candidate said.

 Again, at Lascala where Akufo-Addo interacted with commercial drivers and market women, he stated that insurance premiums, electricity tariffs and prices of petroleum products continue to increase, largely because of the mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy.

It will be recalled that the then candidate, the late John Atta-Mills, made a pledge to reduce petroleum prices drastically when he won power. The price of a gallon of petrol has, however, shot up from GH¢3.69 a gallon by the time the NPP left office in 2008 to GH¢15.70 now, and continues to increase.

“I have been told that on Thursday the price of petroleum products is set to witness a 3% increase again. The price will continue to increase if we do not change government this year. This year, look up to me and the NPP and let’s change Ghana. We have the men and women to fix Ghana’s economy and bring wealth to everybody.” Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his appeal to the electorate to vote against politicians who whip up ethnic sentiments in their hope of winning elections.

 “The politics of ethnicity is not something that will help us. Let us look at the person who can help Ghana. We have been with Mahama for over five years now, and yet we can’t see any progress. The roads in Teshie are bad. Gladys Norley as MP was the one who commenced the town roads around Lascala. The LEKMA hospital in Teshie was initiated by her, and she also brought the Nursing Training College to Teshie. When you give us the NPP the chance, we will work to bring relief to Ghanaians. So please don’t be deceived any longer,” he said.

At Teshie Tsui Bleoo, his last port of call in the constituency, the NPP flagbearer called on all NPP members to unite, win this year’s elections, and help return Ghana back onto the path of progress and prosperity. “We want businesses to flourish. With all these high taxes being imposed on the private sector, it is not surprising that businesses are collapsing. We are coming to reduce all these high taxes and also abolish import duties so businesses can flourish. When businesses flourish, Ghana can then move forward. The time to change Ghana is now,” he added.

 The NPP flagbearer urged the people of Teshie to vote for the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, stating that “not only is he handsome, but very intelligent. He is coming to work for you. The lady you voted for in 2012 has proven that she has nothing good for Teshie. We need the NPP in power to bring jobs and wealth to the people of Teshie.” Prior to Nana Akufo-Addo’s tour, he first paid a courtesy call on Wulomo of Teshie, Nuumo Adjei Kwanko II, and also introduced himself to the traditional council of Teshie ahead of this year’s elections.