Otumfuo Osei Tutu welcoming Nana Akufo-Addo to the palace yesterday
NANA ADDO Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to use his influence in the country to make sure that the December polls are free, fair, transparent and peaceful.
Nana Addo observed that electoral violence in other parts of the continent usually erupted when the elections were rigged in favour of one political party, stating that his wish was for Ghana to have successful polls so that the peace of the country would be intact.
The NPP flagbearer therefore stressed the need for the Asantehene, who wielded great influence and respect across the country, to play a leading role so that the polls would be transparent and all stakeholders would not have cause to complain.
Nana Akufo-Addo made the remarks when he paid a visit to the Manhyia Palace where the Asanteman Council, presided over by the Asantehene, organized a mammoth durbar in his honour yesterday.
The NPP flagbearer, who was accompanied by other top guns of the party, used the occasion to officially introduce his running mate, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, to Otumfuo and Asanteman.
Nana Akufo-Addo pledged the NPP’s resolve and determination to play a leading role to ensure that the impending elections are peaceful, stressing, “I promise that if this poll would plunge Ghana into chaos then it would not come from the side of the NPP.”
He re-echoed the strongest need for the populace, irrespective of their political, tribal or religious backgrounds, to commit themselves to peace, adding that the peace and unity of the country should be protected at all cost.
Nana Akufo-Addo commended Otumfuo for his immense contributions since his ascension to the Golden Stool over a decade ago, which had helped transform education in the country.
The NPP leader said as president, he would also make sure that Senior High School education (SHS) became free so that every school-going child in the country would be in school to at least the secondary level.
He observed that Junior High School (JHS) certificate had lost its value in these modern times, appealing to the electorate to give him their mandate to enable him to make SHS education free and accessible to all, irrespective of their financial strength.
Nana Akufo-Addo slammed the NDC administration for failing to honour its promise of making the Kumasi Airport an international one, indicating that his administration would make sure that the airport was elevated to international status.
He added that several interchanges would be constructed at the Kumasi Kejetia Bus Terminal to help reduce congestion in the city and ensure free flow of people and traffic.
Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the people of Asanteman for their support for his presidential bid in 2008, saying, “I am very grateful for the love that the people of Asanteman have been showing to me.”
He also appealed to Asanteman to support his bid for the highest seat on the land once again, stating that victory would come his way this time.
Nana Akufo-Addo then created some humour at the palace when he confidently told the Asantehene that he would visit the palace in January 2013 in the capacity as “His Excellency, the President of Ghana”.
All those present including the Asantehene and the other paramount chiefs from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and other parts of the country, burst into laughter.
The NPP leader then appealed to the Asantehene to bless him so that his wish of winning the next polls to implement better programmes to swiftly advance the country could come into reality.
Speaking on behalf of the Asantehene, Nana Wiafe Akenten, the Offinsohene, promised the NPP leader of Asanteman and Otumfuo’s blessings as he campaigned to become president.
He tasked Nana Akufo-Addo to work assiduously to implement his popular free SHS promise for the entire country to benefit from, urging all political parties in the country to commit themselves to making the coming polls free, fair, transparent and peaceful.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi