Akufo-Addo Likely To Denounce �All-Die-Be-Die�

As Nana Akufo-Addo gets set to make a landmark pronouncement on his political future on 20th March 2014, a group aligned to the ruling NDC says it has garnered that he will use the occasion to denounce his popular catchphrase, �all-die-be-die�. This is a way of projecting his image in order to put him in a pole position for his third bid at the presidency in the 2016 presidential elections, the group, Reform for Youth Empowerment, said in a statement issued on Monday. In the run up to the 2012 general elections, the National Democratic Congress capitalised on this catchword and tagged the NPP presidential candidate as a warlord. Political analysts believe the statement, to some extent, affected his electoral fortune as he lost out to the incumbent president, John Mahama. The group�s statement, signed by its General Secretary Ebenezer Arkutu, surmised the likelihood of Nana Akufo-Addo to also apologise for his �infamous� Koforidua mantra � Yen Akanfo � which they believe divided the nation on tribal lines. �In fulfillment of this [presidential] ambition, Nana Akufo-Addo seeks to seize the 20th March day declaration to make a profound political/ cultural statement on his negative tribal image, willing to render an unqualified apology for his indiscretion tribal declaration of �YEN AKANFO� and denounce the �ALL DIE BE DIE� mantra. He is prepared to denounce tribalism and ALL DIE BE DIE in all its forms and shapes to foster a positive self-image ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.� The statement says the �tribal apology must be genuine and sincere. It must leave no room for doubt. Together, let us aspire to build a more united Ghana where no tribe or religion is exalted high and above others�. Touching on corruption, the Reform for Youth Empowerment challenged Akufo-Addo to speak on the corruption allegation leveled against the leadership of the NPP by a party financier and MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong. The MP has accused the party�s leadership of stealing donated items and failing to render proper account of their stewardship. �Ghanaians dislike corruption, thievery and will never tolerate a leadership which is corrupt in opposition and is seeking to form the next government. A corrupt opposition is more treacherous than a perceived corrupt government.� The group also wants Nana Akufo-Addo to take advantage of the March 20 declaration to �profusely apologise� to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene after his party members linked the revered chief to an election petition bribery. Even though the NPP issued a statement to condemn the �unwarranted� attacks on the Asantehene, the Reform for Youth Empowerment is demanding that Nana Akufo-Addo based on whose election petition Otumfuo Osei Tutu was attacked, to render �unqualified public apology� to a man his kinsmen has likened to biblical King Solomon.