President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has entreated party members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Kumawu constituency in the Ashanti Region to cast their votes “massively and overwhelmingly” for the party’s candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim, in tomorrow’s by-election.
That, he indicated, would make the NPP retain its seat in the area, and propel the party towards making history in the 2024 general elections by breaking the eight-year political rule in the country.
The President made the call over the weekend when he addressed a rally at Kumawu organised by the NPP ahead of tomorrow’s by-election.
He said the by-election would serve as a pivotal starting point for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) victory in the 2024 elections.
President Akufo-Addo said Mr Anim is the one needed to work with government to remain resolute and hold on to the momentum of the ongoing developmental drive.
Confidence
The President expressed confidence in the NPP’s chances, and emphasized the significance of the by-election in shaping the party’s trajectory going into the 2024 general elections.
“Breaking the eight is very feasible. Many people forget that in 2008 when we lost, we nearly broke the eight if you look at the vote margin. Overall, we were short by 40,000 votes. That was a tiny margin so it tells you that if NPP puts things together, we can make history, but then let the good people of Kumawu vote Yaw Anim Ernest as the lawmaker,” the President indicated.
The President said it is extremely important for Ghanaians to repose their confidence in the NPP in 2024 because the “NPP is the only political party that has the capacity to develop the country systematically”.
“Kumawu holds the key to our success in the upcoming elections. Let us seize this opportunity, mobilize our supporters, and pave the way for a resounding victory in 2024. The strategic significance of the Kumawu constituency serves as a critical cornerstone for the NPP’s triumph in the upcoming general elections,” he reiterated.
The President, therefore, urged the people of Kumawu to be vigilant and actively participate in the democratic process.
Legacy
He said it would be his greatest legacy to leave the party to go over that historic hurdle, while ensuring the peace and development of the country.
“I came to office with Ghana as a peaceful and united country; I will like to leave that also as part of my achievement in office. I also want to see a Ghana which is growing rapidly again with the seven to eight per cent growth rate we went through in my first term in office to open opportunities for young people and to have a very strong educational structure. I will like to be in a situation whereby in 10 years down the lane people will remember that Akufo-Addo’s period saw Ghana expand and grow and become stronger,” he said.
Eulogy
President Akufo-Addo also expressed shock at the death of the former Member of Parliament for the Kumawu constituency.
“I am still shocked and saddened by the news of the tragic death of the Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Hon. Philip Basoah. All of us in the NPP were hopeful his health condition would take a turn for the better, but, alas, our ways are not God’s ways, neither are our thoughts,” he stated.
In his eulogy for the legislator, President Akufo-Addo shared fond memories while praising the deceased MP’s contributions to the ruling New Patriotic Party and Ghana at large.
“I had the opportunity of knowing Hon. Basoah quite well, and, in that time, he proved to be a devoted adherent of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, who never wavered in the belief that the NPP was the only political party that had the welfare of the country at heart. Indeed, he comes from a family with a long history of public service not only to the people of Kumawu, but also to Mother Ghana. He will be missed by all those who knew and met him.”
The President expressed his condolences, and comforted the bereaved family, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul. “I extend my sincere condolences to his widow and children, to the Chairman and members of the NPP, and to the chiefs and people of Kumawu, whom he so faithfully represented right till the very end. May his soul rest in perfect peace until the last day of the resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen,” he added.
Attendees
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and other leading members of the New Patriotic Party were also at Kumawu for the funeral rites of the late MP for the Kumawu constituency, Philip Basoah.
The late MP, who died on March 27, was laid to rest in Kumawu on Saturday. His funeral rites attracted members from both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Amongst other dignitaries seen at the funeral grounds were a failed presidential hopeful of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor; Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; Second Lady, Samira Bawumia; Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman ‘Wontumi’.
The rest were the NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ntim; Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng; NPP parliamentary candidate for Kumawu, Ernest Yaw Ntim; National Organiser of NPP, Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as ‘Nana B’; NDC parliamentary candidate Kwasi Amankwaa widely known as ‘Tom Cee’, amongst others.
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