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Former presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has indicated that Ghanaians will cast their ballot in the 2016 based on the conditions of living they have been offered under the 8-year rule of President Mahama and his NDC government, in comparison to the 8 year rule of the NPP.

Alan Kyerematen explained that every government that has come into office since the advent of the Fourth Republic has undertaken developmental projects, stressing, therefore, that developmental projects will not be the benchmark for an NDC victory in 2016 as President Mahama and his NDC government would want Ghanaians to believe.

Ghana’s economy, according to the former Trade and Industry Minister, is in a mess, and the sole reason why the masses of the Ghanaian people are suffering, and are crying for change in 2016.

“In 2016, the people of Ghana will vote based on their livelihoods. They will take a look at their conditions of living and cast a vote for the presidential candidate and party that will come into office solely to improve their lives,” he said.

The only presidential candidate, Alan posited, who has the track record, backed by competent men and women, to deliver jobs for the people, which will in turn mean the improvement of the livelihoods of Ghanaians, is the NPP’s 2016 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.

“There will be jobs in Ghana under an Akufo-Addo government, and when there are jobs there will be money, which will, therefore, mean Ghanaians can take very good care of themselves,” Alan added.

Alan Akyerematen made this known on the 1st day of Nana Akufo-Addo’s “Rise and Build Tour” of the Ashanti Region on Thursday, October 8, 2015, at a meeting of regional and constituency executives, as well as parliamentary candidates and their competitors from 16 constituencies.

The constituencies were Asante Akyem South, Asante Akyem North, Asante Akyem Central, Bosome Freho, Drobonso, Kumawu, Effiduasi Asokore, Juaben, Ejisu, Ejura Sekyedumasi, Mampong, Nsuta Kwamang Beposo, Afigya Sekyere East, Kwabre East, Afigya Kwabre North, Afigya Kwabre South and New Edubiase.

To the NPP faithful gathered and how the party can ensure total victory in the 2016 election, Alan Kyerematen had a 3-point message. “When you are fighting an incumbent, it is not an easy task. History tells us that elections in Ghana are always tight affairs. So before you can say you’re going to win, you must first consolidate your base. We must not lose a single vote from an NPP sympathiser or supporter,” he said.

He continued, “If we are to consolidate our base, then it hinges on the ‘Rise and Build Tour’ Nana Akufo-Addo is embarking on. If we leave it to chance, party members who hold grudges may not even turn up at all to cast their ballots. So, Nana, I commend you for embarking on this tour.

We need every single vote”. Underscoring the need for a decisive NPP victory in 2016, Alan Kyerematen called regional and constituency executives, as well as all parliamentary candidates, to ensure that the party’s field operations are centred on polling station activities.

He further urged them not to wait for the ‘official launch of the campaign’ before they also begin campaigning, adding that “the structures are already in place, and campaign in your respective constituencies must begin now”.

To the parliamentary candidates, the former Minister of Trade under the Kufuor government, urged them to maximise and protect the presidential votes.

“We have to be minded about the fact that the political system Ghana finds herself in is one of an ‘Executive Presidency’. If you don’t have a President, you are not in power. Whilst campaigning for yourselves, remember that it is when Nana Addo becomes President that you, as an NPP MP, will get the solid grounding you need in Parliament,” he explained.

On the NPP’s message for the 2016 election, he urged the executives, together with their parliamentary candidates, to craft messages that will touch the hearts of their constituents.

“Apart from the NPP’s impressive record, between 2001 and 2009, which is there for all to attest, we must also tell them, through our vision, that we can provide a better government, any day, to the NDC”, he said, stressing also that “our campaign must not only be centred on the radio.”