Presidential Candidate Of The NPP Calls On African Leaders To Seek Interest Of Its People

Nana Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the NPP has stated 'leaders who govern in our name must do so in our interest'. He was speaking at BBC democracy day live debate on the state of democracy in Africa � �Is Africa Re-Inventing Democracy?�. The event which was organised by the BBC in collaboration with the House of Lords and House of Commons forms part of the BBC series of programmes celebrating 800 years of Magna Carta. Nana Addo further observed that political leaders need to create a system where people have the opportunity to develop and grow. He noted that although democracy in Africa is growing with stronger institutions emerging across Africa, there are still significant problems. On the question of whether �The Presidency in Africa is too strong?�, he indicated it's important that Africa focuses on the process of redressing the balance of power among the arms of government and that this could be addressed by building strong institutions and allowing them to work. Nana Addo observed that what a President needs to succeed are; energy both physical and psychological as well as a commitment to lead in the interest of the people. In his closing remark Nana called on Africans to rise and build the continent as it cannot rely on anybody to do that. �We are the only people best placed to build the continent. We cannot rely on the West to build Africa', he added. Other members of the panel included; Jason Njoku, Founder and CEO of iRoko Partners, Ayat Mneina, co-founder and director of Libyan Youth Movement; Dr Robpel Pailay, Researcher at SOAS, University of London. The event, which was broadcast live, was attended by a lively audience including various representatives from African countries, civil society, the press and political commentators. There were several Ghanaians in the audience including Ms Elizabeth Ohene, former Minister of State, Mr Gabby Otchere-Darko, and executives of NPP UK including Michael Ansah, Chairman, David Owusu -Yianoma, 2nd Vice Chairman, and John Kissi, Secretary, and other members of the UK Branch of the party. Report by The Secretariat NPPUK