Members of the ‘HOPE campaign’, an advocacy group, has declared support for the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ahead of the December 7 presidential election, noting that the country urgently requires his competence and experience to deal with the mess created by the Mahama administration.
Explaining reasons for the endorsement, Kweku Quarshie, a member of the group, said Nana Akufo-Addo's beliefs and what he had stood for throughout his political live resonates with their core principles.
Addressing the group at an event held at Silver Star Towers in Accra, Mr Quarshi added Nana Akufo-Addo also stands for what the ‘HOPE campaign’ advocates: Honesty, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education.
The HOPE campaign sees Nana Addo as the only candidate who has addressed real issues on his campaign platforms, adding that any issues which he had raised are those central to the feelings of most Ghanaians.
"Fortunately, The HOPE campaign has identified that leader who offers the hope we need at this seriously challenging time in our country’s destiny. We of the HOPE campaign declare that we endorse Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the 2016 presidential elections," the group stated.
According to the group, its choice of the NPP flagbearer as the candidate its members are supporting did not come in a vacuum, but after series of engagements with majority of Ghanaians, mostly the youth, who are desiring for change, adding that its rounds across the length and breath of Ghana had shown that “the man Nana Addo is the one most believe can redeem the country and move it forward.”
The group added: "At the climax of our campaign, it has become necessary to identify the leader who stands true to what the HOPE campaign believes in. We acknowledge that we have effectively impacted several prospective voters, especially the youth to think deeply about the choices they will make this election. Thus, in our selection of this candidate, we have been careful to ensure that this leader really embodies the xxx that this campaign has been all about."
According to the HOPE campaign, this year's elections should not be seen as a routine national exercise, to elect just anybody, but it is about choosing leaders who understand the interconnecting factors that make a nation prosper, and also about choosing leaders who know how to surround themselves with efficient and competent people.
Members of the group said in all their activities, they had been advocating issue based politics and campaigning by prospective office seekers, and since their campaign is all about choosing good, visionary, bold, honest and incorruptible leadership, it remains rather prudent to rally behind Nana Akufo-Addo who has shown clear commitment in rallying the people for the forward march of the nation.
They said since the campaign was launched months ago, they had been able to advise and educate voters to critically consider serious issues of livelihood before they vote for a leader during the December 7 elections.
For them, Nana Akufo-Addo has proven himself to be an honest and peaceful man, evident in his acceptance of the Supreme Court verdict on the election petition in 2013, stressing: “he promised to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court, and he was HONEST to accept as promised. We see Nana Addo as the kind of man who is concerned deeply about making the right decisions for today and for future generations.”
Again, Nana Addo's incorruptible nature also informed their decision to support him, stressing that the NPP presidential candidate had been in public scrutiny for most part of his life and had proven that he is honest and incorruptible.
"Nana Addo’s commitment to Education has so far been without competition. In the last election, he established a deep commitment to provide FREE SHS. In this up coming election, he has reaffirmed that commitment among others like restoring teacher trainee allowances, ensuring teachers are paid on time and increase the amount of loans under the student loan scheme," they said.
Per their assessment, Nana Akufo-Addo remains the only candidate who has established his commitment to giving the ordinary Ghanaian HOPE for the future.
"Therefore, on 7 December, we the members of HOPE and many other people who are encouraged by what HOPE stands for, will meet with Nana Addo at the point of our common destiny in the ballot box and we will choose him," they stressed.
The HOPE CAMPAIGN stressed: "we have chosen, and will vote for Nana Akufo-Addo," and therefore, encouraged Ghanaians to also vote for the NPP flagbearer.