Nana Addo Rocks Accra

The Accra version of the Nana Akufo Addo�s �Listening Tour� which commenced early this week was punctuated with a large turnout of curious persons including market women who stopped commercial activities in some parts of the Odododiodioo constituency to catch a glimpse of the man. Many people from various walks of life struggled to see the man they had heard so much about in the news. For others who had seen the gentleman before, it was another opportunity to interact with him and to narrate their experiences under the current political administration in the country. As the crowd peaked in the Bukom area, the heart of traditional Accra, known in colonial days as British Accra, the political exercise, described by some observers as the largest turnout of people in recent times in that part of town, became an instant success, making his aides happy. Market women who abandoned their wares were overheard saying that it did not matter even if they did not sell anything for the day as they were satisfied interacting with the man they promised voting for next time around. It was scheduled to be a quiet walk but it became an engaging exercise, with the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) receiving handshakes and promises of votes in the 2012 polls from people who sounded like newly converted adherents of the party which in political strategy sounded sweet in the ears of the campaign team of the flagbearer. Hastily composed songs pointing out the woes of the times under President Mills resonated. At the old slaughter house, butchers told Nana about their problems, lamenting how government had turned deaf ears to their demands for a modern slaughter house as the one they were operating in had long outlived its usefulness. At Jamestown, complaints about hardships and rising cost of living and a government failing to fulfil its promises featured prominently as Nana Addo listened whilst he continued the walk. Fishermen particularly lamented the prohibitive cost of fishing gear and related stuff. At Adedenkpo, trunk manufactures told Nana Addo that the NDC government had refused to help them with loan facilities to inject into their businesses. Promising to vote massively for Nana Addo in 2012, they said, �Life was better when the NPP was in power for eight years and we know it will get better again with Nana Addo as president.� The atmosphere at Zongo Lane was charged as people fell over each other to shake hands with Nana Addo, with some of them assuring him that �this time we will go with you. We are fed up with the lies, propaganda and failed promises of the NDC and we have decided to vote them out of power next year.� The Kantamanto and Makola markets were a different kettle of fish; perhaps the highpoint of the engagement as commercial activities came to a standstill when news about his arrival hit the place. The thunderous welcome which characterised the flagbearer, without doubt, filled him with joy, compelling him to express gratitude to his hosts for a wonderful reception as he assured them of better times very soon. Nana Addo�s Greater Accra tour continues.