The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, January 21, 2016, consoled victims of two separate fire outbreaks in Kumasi, which hit the Kumasi Central Market and the ‘Dagomba Line’ area, in Aboabo, within a spate of five days.
Making his way, first, to the Kumasi Central market, Nana Akufo-Addo was taken to the worst hit parts of the market, where some 400 shops had been razed down by the January 6, 2016, fire.
Addressing a huge crowd of market women, who were clearly elated at his presence amongst them, the NPP flagbearer bemoaned the failure of government to pay critical attention to markets across the country, and put in place measures that will reduce the incidence of market fires to the barest minimum.
Contributing 200 bags of cement towards the rebuilding of the market, Nana Akufo-Addo assured the market women that “an Akufo-Addo government will ensure that securing our markets, which is the source of livelihood for many families across the country, is a topmost priority. We will make our markets safe for you so that you can make a decent living out of trading. The spectre of losing your livelihood because of fire outbreaks must end.”
This pledge by the NPP flagbearer was met with wild scenes of jubilation by the market women.
With less than 10 months to the holding of the 2016 election, Nana Akufo-Addo explained that it is imperative for all eligibleGhanaian voters to exercise their God-given power and elect, peacefully, a government that will replace the incompetent administration of President John Mahama, whose government has only brought hardships and poverty to Ghanaians.
“I want you to put your trust in me and put Ghana under an Akufo-Addo government,” he said.
“My government, I assure you, will manage the resources of this country prudently and put the country back onto the path of progress and prosperity. I am not coming into office to steal your money. I am not seeking your mandate because I want to enrich myself. No! I am coming to assemble a first class government whose sole aim will be to bring relief to all Ghanaians. I am coming so all Ghanaians, without discrimination, can make a decent living,” he said.
To this end, Nana Akufo-Addo urged the market women to help send the NPP’s message of hope to every corner of the Ashanti Region, so that “the NPP will record a massive margin of victory in the Ashanti Region, and across the country, when the results of the 2016 elections are declared.”
Visit to Dagomba line
Accompanied by party stalwarts, Nana Akufo-Addo also visited the Dagomba line area, located around the main Aboabo drain in Kumasi. The fire of January 11, 2016 destroyed about 200 makeshift structures, which served as shelter for residents.
There also, Nana Akufo-Addo donated 100 bags of cement and 5 packets of roofing sheets to aid in the reconstruction efforts. To the school children resident in the area, he donated 100 textbooks and 100 school uniforms.
Addressing the residents of ‘Dagomba line’, running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, stated that there are 290 more days to the holding of the November 7 election.
“We have 290 more days left for Ghanaians to witness the proper management of the National Health Insurance Scheme to be put, 290 days towards the restoration of teaching and nursing trainee allowances, and 290 more days for the prudent management of the nation’s resources.” Dr. Bawumia noted.
Describing the John Mahama government as incompetent, a description which was met with a raucous response from the residents, Dr. Bawumia urged the electorate “to vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He’s the leader who has your welfare at heart and has always put the Ghanaian people first.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, in his brief remarks to the gathering, also urged them to vote for him and the NPP, so that Ghana’s fortunes can be turned around, beginning, God-willing, January 2017.
He stressed his determination to ensure that his government, as a matter of priority, assists small-scale enterprises and self-employed people, like them, to grow and expand their businesses.
The NPP flagbearer was accompanied on his visits by Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo; Mr. Freddie Blay, Acting NPP National Chairman; John Boadu, Acting NPP General Secretary; Otiko Afisa Djaba, NPP National Women’s Organiser; Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Trade and PSIs under President Kufuor; Hon. Francis Addai Nimo, former presidential aspirant and MP for Mampong; Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Information; Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, MP for Kwadaso; Hon. Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, MP for Tafo; Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa; Sheikh T.B. Damba, former 2nd National Vice Chairman of the NPP; Hon. Rashid Bawa, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Stephen Amoah, acting Ashanti Regional NPP Organiser; Hajia Zeinabu Sallow, Ashanti Regional NPP Treasurer; amongst others.
By: Dan K. Prince//dailyviewgh.com
Editor’s Email dailyviewgh@gmail.com
