NPP will not write another ‘Stolen Verdict’ — Mac-Manu

In that regard, he has advised supporters and sympathisers of the NPP to be vigilant at the various polling stations during this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections so that any attempts of rigging or stealing of ballots by individuals or groups of political institutions could be detected and counteracted.

‘‘In 2008, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo picked the telephone and congratulated the winner of the elections, Prof J. E.A. Mills and in 2012 he did the same to President John Mahama after the Supreme Curt ruling,’’ the NPP campaign manager recalled.

Mahama to extend courtesies and respect

He declared, however, that ‘‘this time around, we expect President Mahama to extend the same courtesies and respect to our flag bearer immediately he is declared by the Electoral Commissioner as the winner of the December 2016 polls as he is going to win hands down.’’

Mr Mac-Manu gave the indication when he addressed supporters and sympathisers of the NPP at separate rallies at Sefwi Adabokrom in the Bia East District, Wassa Agona in  Amenfi Central in the Western Region and other Sefwi environs, as well as Sekondi.

He told the gathering that since no stolen verdict would be written again, ‘‘you should all engage yourselves as polling agents and open your eyes widely at the polling stations to ensure that the ballot is protected.’’

Social media

The NPP campaign manager further declared that, ‘‘the intention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to shut social media during the election is a lie. You can use your mobile phones to capture the results and either WhatsApp or post them on Facebook for the whole world to see.’’

He also explained to the party supporters that under the new law, the results at the various polling stations would be posted and also at the collation centres after counting of the ballots and all the figures put together appropriately, adding that in each case, the people had the right to take pictures of the pink sheets as displayed.

Rousing welcome

The former national chairman of the NPP was part of the five-day campaign tour by the presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which took him to the various constituencies in the northern part of the Western Region, starting from Bibiani-Anhwiaso, Bekwai, the Sefwi enclave, where he received a spontaneous rousing welcome.

Other members of the campaign team included Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a Minister of Trade in the Kufuor era, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, also a Minister of Health in the Kufuor administration, Madam Otiko Afisah Gyaba, the NPP National Women’s Organiser, some NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) and regional executives.

Mr Mac-Manu again told the supporters that ‘‘no single person is a polling agent so you all should take it as a responsibility to act as such so as to avoid what happened in 1992 and 2012, and added that ‘’it won’t happen again, I can assure you, with your vigilance.’’

Bad fiscal policies

Mr Kyerematen asked the people whether they were satisfied with their present circumstances and with a sharp response of no, he explained that the bad fiscal policies of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had resulted in the harsh economic situation in the country.

The former trade minister further indicated that the claim by the NDC that they had undertaken huge infrastructure development in the country so Ghanaians should retain them in power was untenable but rather the people should vote for Nana Akufo-Addo to come and salvage them from the current economic troubles.

‘‘It is the responsibility of every elected government to construct roads, provide educational and health facilities but these are not enough. After doing all these, your economic policies should reflect in the living conditions of the people who voted for you, which is not the case in the current circumstances,’’ Mr Kyerematen said.

He, therefore, urged the people to reject the NDC and vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo and the various NPP parliamentary candidates for a change, adding that “when the NPP flag bearer assumes the reins of governance of the country, you will realise a real transformation of the economy.”

Passionate appeal

In his appeal to the people, the NPP presidential candidate said: ‘‘I knocked at your door for the first time in  2008, the second in 2012 and you rejected me. Now I have come again for the third time in 2016 for you to give me the opportunity to handle the affairs of this country and things will not be the same.’’

‘‘Kufuor had no oil money but with good foresight and fortitude, he was able to turn the economy around, implemented the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), free health care for pregnant women and other policies. So allow me to bring on board my knowledge and together with qualified colleagues, we can satisfy your aspirations,’’ Nana Akufo-Addo said.