The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has asked the people of the Western Region to pray earnestly for Ghana, considering the current economic difficulties and hardships the country currently finds herself in, under the leadership of President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress government. He asked the Region to pray for the peace, stability and unity of the nation in this crucial election year.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who visited 6 churches in the Takoradi and Effia constituencies, on Sunday, February 14, the first Sunday of Lent, also asked for prayers for the NPP and for the families of the late Ben Kwaw, acting Chairman of the Western region, and the Hon. JB Danquah Adu, the late MP for Abuakwa North, so God consoles them in their time of grief.

“On my part I am asking you to pray for me too. Pray to God so he grants me strength, courage, wisdom, and a compassionate heart to be a good leader. In this election year, I am  asking you for your support for me and the NPP. I am pleading with you to try me also, so I can show you what I can do for this country and I promise you I will never let you down,” he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo, who received tumultuous welcomes in each of the churches he worshipped at, admonished congregants that though "we're going through difficult times in Ghana, I believe we have a great destiny ahead of us. We have an opportunity, this year, peacefully to change Ghana. I am inviting all of you to look deep inside yourselves and be part of this Movement for CHANGE, so we can have a Ghana that is fit for our young people to grow up in. A Ghana full of"

Pastors and members of the congregations from all 6 churches accepted his request and duly prayed for Ghana, the NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo.

The NPP flagbearer, who was accompanied by national and regional party stalwarts worshipped at the Bethel Methodist Church in Takoradi, the Dunwell Methodist Church, Assemblies of God, Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Church of Pentecost (Police Station Assembly) and the Presbyterian Church, all in Effia.

He was accompanied by the acting NPP National Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay; 2^nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament and NPP MP for Essikadu Ketan, Hon. Joe Ghartey; Hon. Papa Owusu Ankomah, former NPP Minister and currently MP for Sekondi; NPP National Women’s Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba; Deputy National Women’s Organisers, Hajia Sawudatu and Diana Karikari; NPP Regional 2^nd Vice Chairman, Francis Ndede Siah; Hon. Kobby Okyere Darko Mensah,MP for Takoradi; Hon. Joseph Cudjoe, MP for Effia; Hon. Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu, MP for Bibiani/Anhwaiso/Bekwai; NPP Parliamentary Candidates for Sekondi, Shama, Ahanta West and Tarkwa Nsuaem, Andrew Mercer, Ato Panford, Kojo Kum and Mireku Duker, respectively; Charles Bissue, NPP Regional Secretary; Abdul Ganiyu, NPP Regional Organiser;Campaign Aides, Mawusi Awity, Na Paga Sulemana Tia, Justice Newton Abeiku Offei; and former NPP regional activists, Kojo Acquah and Agya Sam, amongst others.

Nana Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, paid a courtesy call, in Kwesimintsim, on the family of the late Ben Kwaw, former acting Western Regional NPP Chairman. He and the leadership of the NPP are expected to be at the late Ben Kwaw’s 1-week funeral ceremony on Monday, February 15, 2016, which will be held at the Mount Olivet Church in Takoradi.