Crowd goes crazy over Nana Addo at NPP Conference

The crowd at the Tamale Sports Stadium where the New Patriotic Party is holding its National Delegates Conference, Saturday went gaga when Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party's presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, was introduced to the gathering.
The crowd, which appeared to have been tired and bored partly due to intense heat and the cumbersome nature of the programme, suddenly came alive when an announcer acknowledged the presence of Nana Addo.

The about 7000 people, including over 5,000 delegates and at least 500 media personnel, cheered wildly amid chants of "Nana oo Nana" as soon as the former presidential candidate's name was mentioned.

The NPP's popular campaign song - composed by Daddy Lumba- 'Nana yɛ winner", was then played, further electrifying the already charged crowd.

Beaming with smiles, the septuagenarian former Foreign Affairs Minister acknowledged the massive cheers and show of support accorded him with a relentless wave at the crowd and a rhythmic wiggling of his body to the music.

A similar reaction, although of a smaller magnitude, was elicited when the name of NPP's Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was mentioned at the gathering.

Earlier, the crowd gave the Chairman of the NPP's National Election Committee, Mr. C.K. Tedem, a standing ovation after he delivered a speech in which he called on the party to unite.

Mr. Tedem said Ghana needed a change of government that only NPP would deliver if it remained united.

"United we stand, divided we fall", he said, adding: "Don't let propaganda divide us.”

The NPP announced that 88-year-old founding member would be honoured with a citation for dedicating 60 years of his life to the cause of the party.

Delivering his address to the delegates, incumbent NPP National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, defended the performance of his executives in office.

He said under his tenure, the NPP successfully organised presidential primaries involving about 120,000 delegates.

Jake said during the 2012 Election, his administration competed and narrowly lost against an NDC government that, according to him, shamelessly campaigned with government funds.

He said the evidence of this illegality could be found in the country's double digit budget deficit.

The Chairman added that that the election was fraught with massive irregularities that the party proved during the Election Petition hearing at the Supreme Court and for him,  it was strange the NPP failed to win that court case in spite of the overwhelming evidence it presented to back its case.

Jake, who is fighting to be retained as chairman, also pointed out that the party was in a far better financial position than he came to meet it.

He said there was no money or vehicle when his administration took over and thanked his fellow national executives for the achievements.

Jake predicted victory for the NPP in 2016, but urged party members to remain focused, committed and united so that the dream could be realised.

Voting at the conference began at about 4:00pm with 44 candidates competing for eight national executive positions.

The following is the list of executive positions and the candidates:

Chairmanship: Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey (incumbent); Stephen Ntim; Paul Afoko; Fred Oware.

General Secretary: Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie; Captain Nkrabea Effah Dartey (Rtd); Yaw Buaben Asamoa; Kwabena Agyapong.

Youth Organiser: Sammy Awuku; Richard Nyamah; Emmanuel Attafuah; Gifty Oware-Aboagye; Charles Adu Gyam; Pius Enam Hadzie. Michael K. Ampong.

Women's Organiser: Otiko Djaba; Mawusi Awity; Tina Mensah.

National Organiser: Hopson Adorye; Alhaji Moctar Bamba; John Boadu

Vice Chairman: Philomina Serwaa Akoto Sam; F.F. Antoh; Sammy Crabbe; Mogtari Sahanun; Sheick T.B Damba; Michael Omari Wadie; Kenwuud Nuworsu; Fred Amankwah; Freddie Blay; Hajia Fati; Afua Kyerewa Nyantakyi.

Treasurer: Susan Mensah; Ahmed Saida Ruka; Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah; Esther Ofori.

National Nasara Coordinator: Abdulai Mohammed Tanimu; Kamal Deen Abdulai; Abubakari Sulemana; Salihu Yahaya Bo; Ahmed Sadat Awudu; Haruna M. Maiga; Mohammed A. Ibrahim; Alhaji Baba G. Ibrahim.

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