Nana Akofo Addo
The political fire stoked by President John Evans Atta Mills through his spokesperson Koku Anyidoho, is far from being extinguished, with a defiant Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stating that he would not be cowed by intimidation or threats.
Although his response fell short of mentioning names, it was clear he was responding to President Mills’ intimidating remarks relayed through Koku Anyidohu, his spokesperson, when the latter spoke to a Ghanaian FM station in London, Radio Focus.
Koku Anyidohu had told Nana Akufo Addo that if he dared make any move, he would see where power lies.
The 2012 Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, who returned the fire from Wa, where he was on an official engagement at the campus of the University of Development Studies (UDS) on Saturday, said, “I want to assure you of one thing, that no amount of lies and propaganda, no amount of insults against my person or threats on me will stop me from doing the work that I have to do for mother Ghana.”
Such remarks, as being spewed by some elements whose names he did not mention, he said, were only diversionary.
Turning his attention to the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he counselled them to focus on activities that had the potential of improving the lives of Ghanaians and avoid the politics of lies, insults and threats on him.
Nana Akufo-Addo, while recounting his 35-year record in politics, pointed out that this period was bereft of violence, during which he fought against military dictatorship and for human rights without any trace of violence.
“I have never supported the use of violence in politics, and not one single day have I been involved with anything that has to do with violence. But, one thing that I have always stood for is that, I will never sit down to allow my fellow human being to cheat me.”
While expressing gratitude to the membership of TESCON for the support they had rendered the party over the years, he nonetheless urged them to double their efforts for the 2012 polls.
The next elections were critical because, according to him, they were about the future and well-being of the youth of the country, conditions which were contingent upon the availability of jobs and the transformation of the economy.
He added that Ghanaians were looking forward to the return of the NPP to power to rescue them from the calamitous economic conditions of the country.
Nana Addo, who said the NPP could not fail Ghanaians, observed, “We are at the crossroads of our history and the prospects ahead of us are excellent, provided we have the right leadership- the leadership that is prepared to take the difficult and critical decisions to move our country forward. And, that is the kind of leadership we are looking for in 2013.”
Nana Akufo Addo’s passion for education was once more given vent when he stated his commitment to providing free, quality Senior High School education to all.
He once more told Ghanaians that the provision of free, quality senior high school education in the country was feasible, having had the issue examined by experts in the NPP.
On the transformation of the local economy, he said this could be done through the addition of value to our products so that these items could be exported and sold on the local scene as well.
He said, “Dr. Dufuor, the Finance Minister, has just read a budget in which he told us that 81 percent of Ghana’s foreign exchange receipts come from exporting raw materials: cocoa, gold and now crude oil.
 “That way cannot bring prosperity to our nation and give the youth and all our people the jobs of the future.
“We need to industrialise our country and we, under my leadership in the NPP, have the courage, we have the rationale, we have the dedication and we have the commitment to make that turn.’’
Nana Akufo-Addo’s tour took him to places within the Wa Central constituency such as Dondoli, Tagyayiri, Jengbetiri, Jangbyiri Zongo, Kabanye, Kpanguri and Charia among others.
Wherever he set foot, the NPP flag bearer was mobbed by his guests and he shook hands with almost everyone.
When he got to the Wa market, the place was turned into a festival ground as traffic virtually came to a standstill.
By A.R. Gomda