The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has bemoaned the politics of tribalism and ethnicity being waged by President John Mahama in his campaign in the North, with 16 days to the conduct of the December 7 elections.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, for want of a campaign message to the people of the North, and his inability to defend his 8-year record in office, evidenced in the scandals that have rocked the Savannah Acceleration Development Authority (SADA), President Mahama is embarking on a divisive and tribal-based campaign.
The President, whilst campaigning in Lawra, in the Upper West Region, is reported to have stated that “I pity Northerners who are calling for change”, adding the NPP hates the people from the North, stressing that “they will use you and dump you.”
These statements, in the view of Nana Akufo-Addo, are very unfortunate and characteristic of a President who has no plans of presiding over a unified country, and is willing to say and do anything to win an election.
The NPP presidential candidate was addressing thousands of residents at Akim Oda on Saturday, November 19, 2016, on the last day of his tour of the Eastern Region, when he made this known.
“With the signs clearly spelt on the wall that he (President Mahama) has lost the Presidency, he has begun using divisive language in his campaign. He is in the North telling the people that because he is from the North, the people should vote for him. This is sad,” he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo added that it was “sad and shocking that our President will prefer not to use language that brings people together, but is rather using language that will divide us. I will not come before you and tell you to vote for me because I am from the Eastern Region or from Okyeman. I will never do that. The policies I have outlined over the course of my campaign should be the basis of your voting for me.”
The NPP leader further stressed that “if this country is to progress, we need unity amongst us. We must understand that we are first and foremost Ghanaians, and should not allow people to set tribe against tribe, all in the name of politics and elections.”
What have you done for the North?
Touching on the track record of President Mahama in the North, Nana Akufo-Addo described SADA as one of the saddest developments in the 59-year history of Ghana, especially in the time of a leader of Northern origin.
“You (President Mahama) say you are from the North, and are asking people to vote for you on that basis. However, it is under your tenure of office that the people of the North have been further impoverished. The levels of poverty in the North are truly unprecedented. Monies from SADA have been squandered, monies which were to be used to develop the North have vanished,” he said.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, “when asked to account for the SADA monies, we are told that it was used for the rearing of guinea fowls. And when asked where the guinea fowls are, we have been told that they have flown to Burkina Faso. Is this your track record as a President from the Northern Region? It is under your tenure of office that Northerners have been robbed.”
The NPP flagbearer added that if the people of the Northern Region were truly dear to the heart of President Mahama, he would have ensured that SADA’s resources were used for their true objectives and not as a conduit for corruption and the theft of public funds.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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All followers of the President and NDC members who support his tribalistic approach to politics are fuuuulls. Stzcup1ddd 1di00ts whose brains are empty. May tigers chew their ballssssss
Do you realize NDC has not really selected a presidential candidate before? First was JJ, then he handpicked Mills, when Mills died he was naturally succeeded by JM. There will be true test of democracy in NDC when they choose their presidential candidate through the ballot and survive as a party. NPP on the other hand has done it over and over again and despite the challenges are a formidable force.
Are Ghanaians ready for Akin Na Pawpaw government? No.
Who is more tribal than Akufo Addo? See what happend to Afoko?
Masa commot,Is vice presidential position an automatic qualification for presidency? The truth is the late vice president was never a front runner in the npp presidential race,he jump in the race along the way and he never had a support base and in politics if you don't have the support,how you win an election? As for bawumia he has his support already and God willing he will he be the president of ghana day.
Those calling for change are deceiving Ghanaian with unrealistic promises. Akufo Addo and his running mate are very good at insults for the president. I think Ghanaian need continuity to secure the destiny of this country.
somebody should please hint Martin Amidu. He strongly believes NPP will make him their Atorney General. Even he were NPP member, he still wouldn't be able to undo being a northerner, which to NPP, IS a big deal. Ask your brother Afoko and countless others. that said, the president should not stoop to tribal politics. that is for the likes of gen. Mosquitoe (though i've never heard him red handed) and koku Anyidoho.
It will be a very sad mistake if Ghanaians vote for Nana Addo. JDM's vision is manifesting and Ghana does not need to change him for another man who has no track record.
If anyone wants to advise us about tribal politics then that should never be from Nana Addo or any NPP member. Oates: 1. Yen Akanfoo (We Akans) Nana 2. Yee ge yen nua baa, agye yenman (We take back out sister and our country) Adu Boahen to Rawlings 3. Ghana nye ntafoo dea (Ghana is not for Northerners) Yaw Osafo Marfo 4. Voltarians are inward looking people. Victor Owusu, etc
SHORT MAN TELL THIS TO BAWUMIA