The NPP presidential aspirant, Nana Akufo-Addo, has sent a congratulatory message to David Cameron for his election and appointment as Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II. “Ghana and the United Kingdom share a long and enduring relationship, forged over four chequered centuries, which has seen several important transformations, the most significant of which was the emergence of Ghana from a century of British colonial rule,” Nana Addo remarked in a press release. He further stated: “Our two political parties - the Conservative Party and the New Patriotic Party - share many common values such as beliefs in individual liberty, freedom and responsibility, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the principles of democratic accountability and the efficacy of the market economy. I am certain that the bonds between our two parties will deepen over the coming years. “At the occasion of your party’s annual conference at Birmingham on October 1, 2008, to which I was invited and where I had the rare privilege to address the gathering, I said then that ‘I can sense great expectations in this hall that very soon the titles of ‘Shadow this’ and ‘Shadow that’ will change for the real thing.’ I am happy to see that I have been proved right.” He said the commitment of modern conservatism to free markets, patriotism, and the fight against crime with strong policy commitments on fighting poverty, promoting civil liberties and protecting the environment are a source of inspiration to him (Nana Addo) and to members of the NPP party. He described as encouraging, Mr Cameron’s manifesto commitment to encourage the establishment of a Pan-African free trade area, which has the potential to transform that continent’s economies is encouraging. He explained: “Because we share your vision that economic integration can unleash the entrepreneurial dynamism of the African people and create thereby, prosperity for our tragically impoverished continent.” He said the promise to honour the UK’s longstanding commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income in aid by 2013 is an excellent news, “a move which I hope other developed economies will emulate”. Nana Akufo-Addo encouraged the new UK government to keep to its promise to “push for a trade deal which brings growth to the poorest countries, helps those countries adapt to climate change, and puts in place the building blocks of wealth creation: property rights, effective public services, stability and the rule of law.” The additional commitment to “spend at least £500 million a year to tackle malaria,” is again welcome news to millions of Africans. “May I end by repeating a wish that I expressed in Birmingham two years ago that ‘democratic parties, such as our two parties, will work together to spread hope and opportunity across national boundaries so that we can overcome the forces behind the shameful menaces of our time - hunger, poverty, drugs, terrorism and the degradation of our environment. “I wish your new government great success.” Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana