Several thousands of enthusiastic New Patriotic Party followers, including several party leaders and those who contested the party’s flag-bearer position have thrown the sprawling Kasoa township in the Central Region into an euphoric atmosphere. The NPP is today launching its campaign for Election 2008 at the Kasoa old market, and President J.A. Kufuor is expected to perform a symbolic handing over of the party’s flag-bearer baton to Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the party’s flag-bearer for Election 2008. President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo arrived at the rally grounds in a single convoy to wild cheers from the gathering. Before the arrival of the duo, several leaders had been addressing the gathering, telling of the party’s achievements since 2001 and giving reasons why they should vote for Akufo-Addo to retain the NPP in power. Party Chairman Peter Mac Manu in a welcome address, said there is no bigger or better political party in the whole of Africa than the NPP. He said gauging by today’s turnout, which he described as far outstripping the party’s huge gathering in December when the party held its National Delegates Conference at the University of Ghana to elect the flag-bearer, the NPP would win the December Election handsomely. He said Ghanaians are convinced by the NPP’s good works and want the party to continue its good governance and urged the followers not to engage in any violent acts. Mac Manu said the party has a good image and has become the envy of its opponents but urged the party’s supporters to embrace even their opponents into the party. Supporters of the various party members who have been mentioned as likely running mates for Nana Akufo-Addo have been jostling for space close to the dais as they cheer their various mentors’ arrival. Minister of Housing, Works and Water Resources, Boniface Saddique said the level of support he received at the rally could be indicative of the voice of the people and therefore the will of God that he be picked for the slot, however being a party man, he would not be disappointed if the choice goes to another person. Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh I.C. Quaye said the battle for the December Election is a done deal, and he was also hopeful Nana Addo would select him as his running mate. Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Mrs Gladys Asmah, Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie all said serving in the running mate position would be an honour but observed that the choice rests with Nana Addo and they would respect his judgement. Mr Stephen Balado Manu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo-Ano South, said claims that the NPP is an Akan party has been a ploy by the party’s opponents to cause disaffection for it and that it is never the case. He said if it were so, he a Basare, would not be an MP in Akan land, while MP for Assin North, Kennedy Agyepong urged Ghanaians not to forget too soon where the country has come from. He said the deplorable situation of the poor Kasoa-Cape Coast road which has been reversed by the NPP, school children who had no desks to write on but now reversed, ‘Kufuor buses’, the National Health Insurance Scheme and Free Education for basic education are all blessings that should count for the NPP. Ken Agyapong said former President Rawlings has no moral right to speak “rubbish” when he claimed to have come to redeem Ghanaians from their suffering but ended up putting up a huge mansion with bullet-proof walls for himself. Author: Isaac Yeboah