Akufo-Addo Won�t Announce Decision On Arrival Tonight

The 2012 presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will not announce his decision to contest or not to contest the NPP presidential primaries leading to the 2016 presidential elections, soon on his arrival in the country tonight. He will arrive on a British Airways flight later this evening after a six months stay in the United Kingdom. It will be recalled that Nana Akufo-Addo announced his decision to take a break from politics, hours after the Supreme Court dismissed his petition on August 29, 2013. He, together with his running mate, Dr. Mamudu Bawumia as well as the National Chairman, Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey had challenged the Electoral Commission's declaration of President John Mahama as winner of the 2012 presidential election. In a telephone chat with Nana Akufo-Addo�s 2012 Campaign Manager, Mr Boakye Agyarko, he explained that �it is prudent for Nana Akufo-Addo to confer with elders of the party and key people who supported his 2012 campaign bid. He would also have to touch base with some religious leaders and traditional authorities as a precursor to an announcement on his political future. According to Mr Agyarko, Nana Akufo-Addo would meet party supporters tomorrow to herald Ghana�s Independence day which had been declared a public holiday. He disclosed that previous arrangements for his return were called off because of personal reasons, but this time around, all is set for his arrival. He said though Nana Akufo-Addo had some healthy engagements while in the United Kingdom, he still found time to rest and was coming back to contribute to the total development of the country. Mr Agyarko pointed out that though Nana Akufo-Addo was not enthused about a plan for a welcome reception at the airport, he would not discount the fact that some supporters would find their way to the Kotoka International Airport to meet the man who is widely expected to lead the NPP again in 2016. April Congress The party is gearing up for congress on April 12, to elect national officers. Leading party stalwarts, including incumbent General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, have already declared support for Nana Akufo-Addo should he decide to contest the primaries for the flagbearership slot for the third consecutive time. Mr. Akufo-Addo's closest contender, Alan Kyerematen, who he beat in the two previous contests, is also expected to vie for the party's nomination for the 2016 presidential poll. Independence Anniversary Meanwhile, sources close to the party, have hinted that Nana Akufo-Addo would for the first time since the 2012 elections, participate in the activities marking Ghana's 57th Independence Anniversary at the Black Star Square. It will be recalled that sometime last year, the leadership of the party, and its members of parliament, failed to participate in any event organised by the government including the independence anniversary celebration. They said they would not be involved in any state function until the Supreme Court pronounced its judgement on an election petition brought by Nana Akufo-Addo and two others challenging the outcome of the 2012 presidential election. On Monday evening, Nana Akufo-Addo delivered a public lecture as the main speaker for an event organised by the prestigious Royal African Society to mark 57 years after Ghana's independence in 1957, in London. Since he left the country after the election petition, Nana Akufo-Addo had not spoken at any major public event.