The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has described attempts by pro-NDC newspapers to portray him as sick, and unable to campaign ahead of this year’s elections laughable.
One such newspaper, The Enquirer on Monday, July 11 reported that the NPP flagbearer had, on Sunday, July 10, suspended his campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region due to ill-health, had been flown back to Accra, and was on admission at the hospital and that Akufo-Addo’s campaign team had been warned by his health handlers to ensure that he does not stay out after 5pm.
But according to Nana Akufo-Addo, the publication was one of the many signs of a desperate party that has no message and clutching at straws in order to win an election.
Speaking at a rally in Jema in the Kintampo South constituency, the same day as the Enquirer report, Nana Addo said, "there is a publication in one of the NDC newspapers that I am sick and on admission in a hospital in Accra. Is the Jema lorry park a hospital? I did indicate, at the end of Sunday’s campaign (at Subinso, in Wenchi), that I had to attend to urgent business in Accra and would return on Monday. Here I am. To the NDC, at all cost I have to be sick. If I’m not sick, it means they have no message to campaign with and that would mean defeat for them in this year’s election. They seem to have invested all their political capital in my state of health".
“God is the One who looks after us all, and not the wishes of human beings. I am strong. As you see me now, do I look anything close to a sick person? The NDC is claiming that I am a very old man, who is unable to walk. I am fit, and full of strength to campaign and, if God so wishes, govern this nation in a proper manner", he continued.
He implored the electorate of Kintampo South to vote for “a leader who has love for his country, and who is not into politics to steal the monies of poor Ghanaians and loot the coffers of the state. Vote for a leader who has policies and programmes to bring progress and prosperity to this nation, and who is flanked by able men and women who can deliver good governance to improve the livelihoods of Ghanaians.â€
The NPP flagbearer is expected to round off his 5-day tour of the region on Tuesday, July 12, with a tour of the Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South constituencies, before commencing another 5-day tour of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, July 13.
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