The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the Andani Royal Family of Dagbon that, contrary to the propaganda waged against him by his political opponents, there is nothing to fear of him, when, God-willing, Ghanaians repose their confidence in him in this year’s elections.

According to the NPP flagbearer, it is time for all the people of Dagbon and the NPP to close the gap existing between them in the interest of Ghana, explaining that all the things that have been said about him and the NPP, in relation to the people of Dagbon, is only meant “to bring division between us.”

Nana Akufo-Addo made this known when, in the company of national and regional party stalwarts, he called on the Regent of Dagbon, The Kampakuya Na, Andani Yakubu Abdulai, who is also head of the Andani Royal Family, on Monday, August 8, to formally introduce himself to him as the NPP flagbearer for the 2016 elections, and to elicit the unalloyed support of Dagbon for his candidature.

Describing Dagbon as one of the most famous states in Ghanaian history, Nana Akufo-Addo noted that “it is about time that the problems of the past are buried, so we can look forward into the future. Whatever I can do to assist that process in burying the past, you can count on me.”

He stated that “I am not a Dagomba, and have no interest in fomenting any kind of trouble amongst the people of Dagbon. I am not Andani, I am not Abudu, I am not a Dagomba. I have no interest in the chieftaincy issues here. My only interest is that Dagbon is at peace, is united and plays its role in the affairs of the Northern Region and in the affairs of Ghana. That is my only interest.”

To this end, the NPP flagbearer assured that “the Regent, the Andani people and all the people of Dagbon have nothing to fear of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. They have nothing to fear. If God-willing, in December, I am successful, the Andani people and the Regent should know that, in me, they have somebody who is going to be a father for everybody, not looking left or right, but being fair and making sure that there is peace and unity in Dagbon and in Ghana.”

Ridiculing the propaganda making the rounds that when he wins he will de-stool 31 Andani chiefs in Dagbon, Nana Akufo-Addo described these claims as lies and fabrications, stressing that “I am not involved in the traditional matters of Dagbon. Chieftaincy is not my business. My business is Ghana, and ruling Ghana and making sure that Ghana moves forward.”

“Even the affairs of my own palace, the Akyem Palace, I am not involved. How do I come here to Dagbon and get myself involved in the affairs of the Dagbon people? That is not my interest.”

Recounting the friendship that existed between himself and the late Ya Na, Yakubu Andani II, the NPP flagbearer revealed that “he was my friend, with whom I had a relationship of trust and friendship.”

To the Kampakuya Na, who is the son of the late Ya Na, Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that “I want to establish the same relationship with him as I had with his father. That is why I came to the Gbewa Palace today with a strong delegation including my running mate, and God-willing the next Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; the regional chairman of the party; and leading members of the NPP, like Alan Kyerematen, to come and assure him that I am interested in friendship with all the people of Dagbon, without discrimination and without exception.” 

Pieces of advice

“When I was here the last time, the Regent gave me two pieces of advice, and they are advices I have kept very close to my heart up till today. The first was that I should not make any promises I cannot keep. I kept to that promise. All the promises I made, my opponents, at the beginning, said it could not be done, only for them to turn round and try to do them. So I do not make promises I cannot keep,” he said.

Bearing in mind the admonition by the Chief, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that “I am making a new promise to the people of Ghana, another promise I am going to keep. Every district in this country is going to get at least one factory. This is one promise I am going to keep.”

The second piece of advice from the Regent, the NPP flagbearer recollected, was for him to be a father for all Ghanaians should he win the elections.

“If, God-willing, I climb the big stool of Ghana, I am going to be a leader for Ghana, and one who is a father to everybody in this country without discrimination,” he added

Vote for me

With the 2016 election being his third attempt at the Presidency, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to the people of Dagbon to “give me a chance, and to try me and see, because I have something good and positive for Ghana. I want the opportunity to serve my nation and serve my people to the best of my ability. We have big plans for the development of Ghana and Dagbon.”

He continued, “I know as Chiefs, you don’t wear political jerseys, but I want you, this time, to vote for me, because what I am hoping and fighting for is that when the history of Ghana is being written, in the time of our grandchildren, they will say that it was when Akufo-Addo became president that Ghana became prosperous, and when the people saw the benefits of progress and prosperity in our time.”