President Akufo-Addo has shown his generosity at a time deemed to be most controversial in the country’s political space.
In 48-hours to the event that decides the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) majority in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo made a move that is suspected to influence the electorates to swing towards the ruling party during the Assin North by-election.
On Sunday, the President worshipped at the Assin North Pentecost Church to thank God for his mercies, as well as solicit the votes of electorates for Tuesday’s election.
President Akufo-Addo clarified that although he is the father of the country, he has a responsibility to chair the affairs of the party, hence ensure the NPP’s victory in the upcoming by-elections.
To show the party’s support for the good works done by the Pentecost Church, the President, on behalf of the NPP, presented a sum of GHS150,000 to the leadership of the church.
He clarified that out of the total, GHS100,000 has been drawn from the coffers of the party, while the remaining GHS50,000 is given from his own volition.
In his campaign message, he entreated the congregants to “Give me (him) someone I (he) can work with” in the name of Charles Opoku.
“I’ve have a year and six months. There are so many things left to do. I need someone who can come and speak with me,” he added.
The NPP’s Charles Opoku and the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) James Gyakye Quayson are expected to engage in a keen contest.
Mr Quayson is no new face in Assin North. In 2021, he was sworn-in as the Assin North MP but after the discovery that he held dual citizenship during the 2020 parliamentary elections, the results have been annulled. The Cape Coast High Court’s decision and the Supreme Court’s corroboration that Mr Quayson unlawfully won the seat has prompted this by-election.
Meanwhile, the President has urged for a violence-free election as contrary could impede the development of the constituency and the nation at large.
“Let us make sure Tuesday’s by-election does not record any form of violence. We know that if we commit the election into the hands of God, it will be peaceful,” he said.
