The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has debunked claims that he is frightening James Gyakye Quayson, the Assin North parliamentary candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
On the contrary, he has argued that it is the laws of the country that is dealing with him, after falling foul of some electoral rules during the 2020 general elections.
“He says it’s the NPP and me who are scaring him. That is not true; it is the laws of Ghana that are scaring him. I do not scare anyone in Ghana. If you fall foul of the law, it is not me who will deal with you, but the law. I am not autocratic; I have respected the rule of law in the six years of my reign as president,” he asserted.
President Akufo-Addo was speaking at a mammoth rally held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Assin Bereku, in the Assin North Constituency, to wrap up the party’s campaign ahead of tomorrow’s by-election.
President Akufo-Addo, who was addressing an enthusiastic crowd, urged the people of Assin North to vote for Charles Opoku, as he can easily lobby for more development in the constituency.
The President mentioned that the party had already commenced some developmental works in the constituency and asserted that a lot more would follow should Charles Opoku be elected.
“So, I came to plead with you to vote for someone who can come to me for more development in Assin North.”
MISTAKE
The President reminded the people to be mindful of the person they vote for in order not to repeat the mistake of 2020, urging them to vote for Charles Opoku, who is first on the ballot paper.
The President reminded the enthusiastic crowd about the fact that he won the constituency in the 2020 presidential election, but because of the ‘skirt and blouse’ voting, the parliamentary went to the NDC, which has landed in court.
“We need someone with no issue and he is Charles Opoku,” the President stated.
President Akufo-Addo debunked an assertion by former President Mahama that the court declared the Assin North election null and void because the judiciary has been politicised.
The President used the opportunity to remind his predecessor that the same judiciary dealt with the late Adamu Sakande case and he (John Mahama) had no qualms with the outcome. “So, why now?” Akufo-Addo quizzed.
However, the president disagreed with the stance of the NDC candidate that he does not mind being jailed, saying the constituents do not need an MP like that.
GOOD FAITH
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whose address preceded that of the president, observed that the NPP government had shown good faith with the Assin North Constituency.
According to him, all the developmental projects in the constituency were done by the NPP government, from the Kufuor era to the current Akufo-Addo administration.
He listed some of the projects currently ongoing in the constituency such as; Agenda 111, roads, and telephone connections.
He teased the NDC candidate that when voted into office, he would not be able to lobby for development, which is why the voters should elect Charles Opoku tomorrow.
Prior to his address, other Speakers, including the MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong, the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako and the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu had all spoken.
Kennedy Agyepong told the gathering that voting any candidate, apart from Charles Opoku, would go against the country as a whole because no other party has the competence to work for the people of Ghana.
Taking his turn, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, remarked that Charles Opoku had contributed immensely to the constituency, even as a non-MP.
Assin South MP, Rev. Ntim Fordjour indicated that Charles Opoku is God-fearing and very committed to development, thus the need to vote for him to become the next MP.
The General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frimpong, stressed that President Akufo-Addo made the best decision to separate Assin North and Assin Central, as it has brought development.
Speaking at the rally, Charles Opoku assured the constituents that he would not disappoint them if voted the MP for the Assin North Constituency.
By Maxwell Ofori & Stephanie Birikorang
