Political activities peak at Legon

Page 15, Dec 21, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

MEMBERS of the Legon Friends of Nana Akufo-Addo (LEFONAA) have besieged the University of Ghana campus to drum home their support for Nana Akufo-Addo, one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), during Saturday’s delegates’ congress.
The group organised a float yesterday on the campus to champion the cause of Nana Akufo-Addo during which they held placards some of which read, “No Nana, no NPP”, “Vote for Number 10”, “NPP is not Abramovich”, and “Nana is Ghana’s Political Soldier”.
The drumming, dancing and chanting of appellations of Nana Akufo-Addo attracted a large crowd to the place.
A visit to the campus yesterday showed that political activities had peaked and the campus had virtually become a tourist centre as a lot of people were seen trooping in.
The large presence of the police could also not be missed, as five bus-loads of policemen were cited on recce operations.
Also present to lend a hand towards the “D-Day” were about 200 ushers and caterers who were being taken through a lecture on customer service.
According to Ms Esther Ofori, Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the congress, the need to provide ushers with the necessary skills had become paramount in view of past experiences in Koforidua where there were numerous complaints about the quality of service.
Scores of people were also trooping in to catch a glimpse of the special billboards of all the aspirants. Posters of all the 17 aspirants had been posted on all available structures and trees from the entrance of the university to the Commonwealth Hall.
Members of the LOFANAA, who wore T-shirts bearing the photograph of Nana Akufo-Addo, also distributed leaflets to bystanders to educate them on their preferred candidate.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Vice-President of the group, Mr Bright Owusu, urged the delegates who would attend the congress to be guided by the strength of the presidential candidates of other parties before they elected the party’s presidential candidate.
“Let us not allow our emotions and material considerations to clout our judgement,” he said, adding that “the party is at a crossroad and we will retain power only if we present a strong candidate like Nana Akufo-Addo”.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has been through it all and he has a real fighting spirit that will enable him to deal with every situation. Let us give him chance to do what he is capable of doing,” he said.