NPP skeptical about November 7 polls – Akufo-Addo

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not enthused over how the Electoral Commission is handling issues ahead of the November 7 general elections.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, information privy to him indicate Ghana is likely to miss the election date because “there is an air of uncertainty about the whole preparatory process.”

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the new Ambassador of the United States of America to Ghana Robert Porter Jackson, Nana Addo entreated the EC to provide a level playing field for all political parties.

“We continue to be concerned about the way the EC is handling issues ahead of the November 7 election. The procedures and steps being taken for the election appear to be still up in the air. There is an air of uncertainty about the whole preparatory process towards November 7. We in the NPP are not interested in a sham democracy,” the leader of the main opposition party in Ghana stressed.

He added: “I am saying so because the conditions of living of our people at the moment are as bad as I have ever seen them. The impoverishment and the difficulties they are going through are placing a great deal of strain on them. Even the date for November 7, as I am hearing from our Members of Parliament, might even be missed. It is, therefore, important that an air of confidence in the electoral process is felt by all. We need to assure our people that if it is change that they want, or if they want to maintain a government in office, they should be able to get it from our electoral process. This is how our democracy can be strengthened.”

Accompanied by the Political Chief at the US Embassy, Robert Carlson, the purpose of Ambassador Jackson’s call on Nana Akufo-Addo was formally to introduce himself as the new US Ambassador to Ghana, following his arrival in the country in January this year.

The NPP flagbearer and Ambassador Jackson discussed issues bordering on governance, security and the economy of Ghana, as well as the fostering of bilateral and trade relations between the two countries.

On the issue of the transfer of the two Guantanamo Bay detainees (Gitmo 2) to Ghana, which has generated a huge debate in Ghana, the US Ambassador explained to Nana Akufo-Addo that the transfer was done with the understanding that the United States will be responsible for the upkeep of the detainees for 2 years, stressing that there are similar agreements in 55 other countries.

Ambassador Jackson assured that the two detainees do not pose a threat to Ghana’s security, as they were vetted thoroughly before being transferred to Ghana. He, noted, however, that “I understand Ghanaians are concerned, and this is largely because of misinformation and lack of information.”

Nana Akufo-Addo, in his response to the issue of Gitmo 2, noted that the issue was badly handled by the Mahama government, and had the potential of undermining the excellent relationship between Ghana and the United States of America.

The NPP flagbearer explained that “none of the institutions of State, not even Parliament, were consulted on the issue. Political parties were not consulted before this decision was taken. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians and civil society were strongly against this decision.”

He, however, added that “even though we have strived and will continue to strive for strong ties of co-operation between our two countries, we recognise that, at the end of the day, decisions that are taken must serve the mutual interest of the two partners. Ghanaians are yet to be persuaded that this decision was in our national interest.”

Priority areas of governance

When asked by Ambassador Jackson for his three priority areas should Ghanaians entrust the mandate of leadership into his care in the elections of November, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that his first priority will be to revive Ghana’s ailing economy, and subsequently transform it from a raw material producing one to a value added economy. The revival of the economy means the reintroduction of discipline in our fiscal management and in our monetary policy so that the right conditions for production can be created

Expanding agricultural production, and the resultant increase in export revenues and farmers’ incomes, through the introduction of other major cash crops in addition to cocoa, akin to the initiatives that have been undertaken in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, will be another major priority of an Akufo-Addo government.

“Tackling the issue of corruption in our country will be yet another major focus of my government. Now, the Institutions of governance in our country are working at low levels. We need to assure our people that we are not coming into office to rip off the State, but to improve their well-being. In this regard, I plan to establish an office of an Independent Special Prosecutor to tackle corruption in a non-partisan manner. I also plan to ensure that my appointees and I are held to an acceptable standard of conduct.”

Hon. Isaac Osei, the Minority Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, who was also present at the meeting, commended the US for Millennium Challenge Account Compact programme signed with Ghana, as it had impacted greatly on the lives of Ghanaians. He further hoped that other “mini-compacts” that were signed between the two countries, from July to December 2015, in specific sectors of the economy, would be expanded to cover other aspects of national life as well. Ambassador Jackson indicated the willingness of the US government to respond to specific needs to reinforce the good relations between our two countries.

Hon. Ayorkor Botchway, the MP for Anyaa Sowutuom and former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, in her brief remarks, urged the new Ambassador to take a special interest in Ghana, especially in this election year, just as US officials took in the process leading to the recent Nigerian elections.

“Because Ghana has gained a reputation as a beacon of peace and stability, many people are of the view that nothing can go wrong in Ghana. On the surface, it may look peaceful, but there are simmering undercurrents which need to be addressed. We need to protect our democracy and the US must help in this regard.”

Nana Akufo-Addo, in concluding the meeting, reiterated the NPP’s commitment to a peaceful election in Ghana. He thanked Ambassador Jackson for the courtesy of his visit and asked the Ambassador to extend his regards to US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Present at the meeting were Hon. Isaac Osei, MP for Subin and Minority Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs; Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, MP for Anyaa Sowutuom and former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; Boakye Agyarko, Policy Adviser to Nana Akufo-Addo; Charles Owiredu, Director of International Relations of the NPP; Saratu Atta, Executive Assistant to Nana Akufo-Addo; Francis Asenso-Boakye, Political Assistant to Nana Akufo-Addo; and Eugene Arhin, Press Secretary.