Nana Flies Out For 3 Months

After a series of public engagements following the Supreme Court verdict on the 2012 presidential election petition, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the election, left Accra last night on a three-month holiday. Yesterday, he led the party to attend a thanksgiving service, after which he held a first in the 10 regional �thank you� tours with party people from the Greater Accra region. Nana Akufo-Addo, who has been asked by the party leadership across the country to lead the party again for the 2016, said he was taking a break for three months in order to rest and seek the face of God for direction about his political future. He explained that even though he would be away and not be able to attend similar meetings in the nine other regional capitals, he had delegated his Vice Presidential candidate and 2nd Petitioner in the Election Petition, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to represent him at the various meetings to convey his gratitude to the party in the other regions. Nana Addo stated that on the part of the NPP, the elections had now come to an end. He noted that much as the NPP disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict, he and the party had decided to accept it in the interest of the nation and peace, explaining that the decision not to seek a review was also because the party thought it necessary to bring to a closure, all matters related to the 2012 elections. �What I would like to say, however, is that, for me, the welfare and progress of the NPP is the important thing on my heart. As I have said, I am going away for some time to reflect and see what way forward our Maker has for me; but in my absence, I have asked Dr. Bawumia to accompany the National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey to the regions to express my gratitude to all in like manner. Forgive me if you don�t hear my voice in your regions, but know that my heart will be there�, he said. Free SHS Coming Nana Akufo-Addo, at a thanksgiving service in Accra yesterday, gave the assurance that the NPP�s vision to ensure that every child enjoys free Senior High School (SHS) education is still alive. According to him, the party was still holding on to the free SHS policy so Ghanaians must not give up hope. �Definitely, there will be a time when the free SHS policy will be established and that will ensure that every child has access to free but quality education in the country,� he said. Nana Addo said these when he joined the Church of Pentecost (Dr. Wyatt Assembly at Accra-Newtown Assembly) as part of NPP�s religious activity to render gratitude to God for His goodness and mercies in the 2012 General Elections and the Supreme Court case. The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP was accompanied by his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and wife Samira, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, National Chairman and some party gurus. Nana Addo said the nation�s education was very important to the NPP that was why the party was still holding on to the free SHS policy. He urged Ghanaians to continue to pray for the party so that it would realize its dreams for the nation. Nana Addo said �even though I disagree with the Supreme Court verdict, I have to accept it for the sake of the nation�s peace and development�. He said �Ghana was there before any political party came into existence; therefore we must put Ghana first in everything that we do�. Nana Addo charged Christians and other religious leaders to uphold truth and speak against bribery and corruption that had bedeviled the country. He expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support and urged them to continue to pray for the nation�s peace and development. Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, General Secretary of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council commended Nana Akufo-Addo for sustaining peace in the country. He said Nana Addo�s acceptance of the Supreme Court verdict showed that he was a good leader and had the nation at heart. Apostle Antwi urged the government and its officials to act in a manner that would bring reconciliation in the country and not division. He entreated each and everyone to follow the good deeds of Nana Addo which had brought lasting peace to the nation. Apostle Yaw Antwi called on Ghanaians to put the wrangling behind them now that the contest was over and focus on building the nation. �Let us work hard to make the country�s economy good for the ordinary Ghanaian.� The NPP�s thanksgiving service started last Friday when Nana Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, and some party executives joined Muslims to worship at the Abbosey Okai Central Mosque in Accra. On Saturday, they joined the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church at Labone to give special thanks to the almighty God for guiding the party through the 2012 elections and the Supreme Court case. Nana Addo and his team were mobbed everywhere they went throughout their thanksgiving activities. The majority of the congregations in the churches were clad in party colors, hailing Nana Addo.