Nana Addo Predicts Victory For NPP In Asawase…Says He Doesn’t Hate Muslims

From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi
Buoyed by the enthusiastic support of the teeming crowd that gathered at the Asawase taxi rank to witness the official launch of the campaign for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), the party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, predicted emphatically that the party would, for the first time, annex the seat.

The NPP presidential candidate, who made a surprised appearance at the constituency during the programme, which also formed part of the ongoing People’s Forum being championed by a Kumasi-based radio station, ASHH FM, the rousing welcome he received from the constituents gives him hope that the needed change will happen on December 7.

Nana Akufo-Addo said he was encouraged by the massive work done by the party’s constituency parliamentary candidate, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, and was of the conviction that this time round, the people of Asawase will change their hands.

“We all know that [the] Asawase constituency has, over the years, gone in one direction, but despite all that you haven’t received what is expected of you. We are, therefore, appealing to you that this time change the trend and see the difference,” Nana Addo said.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, Nana Akufo-Addo urged residents of Zongo communities to ignore the wicked propaganda by the ruling NDC that he (Nana Addo) will discriminate against Muslims and Zongo indigenes when elected.

According to him, the records of the NPP, as far as the relationship with Muslims and zongo communities were concerned, are there for everyone to see.

Nana Akufo-Addo pointed out that he will never depart from the solid foundation laid down by former President John Agyekum Kufuor towards the development of zongo communities, stressing that both the Zongo Development Fund and the Northern Development Fund would be implemented in the first year budget of the NPP under his leadership.

He pointed out that the NDC and President Mahama were short of real ideas, having spent eight precious years in power, and have, therefore, resorted to insults and propaganda..

“The NDC and President Mahama have nothing good to offer the people; one would have expected that they would tell the people what they can do for them, and not hide behind propaganda. We have boldly stated that we are coming to implement new and innovative policies that have not been done in Ghana before, and we are committed to it,” the NPP flagbearer emphasised .

Nana Addo said the party, when elected, will deliberate in consultation with Zongo indigenes in government to implement tailor-made programmes that will help bridge the generational development gap in the Zongo areas.

He said an NPP government would harness the nation’s resources and use them judiciously for the development of the country, stressing that industrialisation and job creation would be a major priority to address the increasing youth unemployment.

The Asawase parliamentary candidate for the party, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, on his part, said he would continue to work hard and engage the people in order to win their support.

He said the incumbent MP, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, has lost popularity amongst the constituents, because he has failed to meet their expectations.

According to him, voters in the constituency have resolved to change their voting pattern, and this, he said, would reflect in the upcoming elections.

Other speakers who graced the occasion included Joe Ghartey, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, former Regional Chairman, Mr. Robert Yaw Amankwaah, and other parliamentary candidates in the region.