The Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and a presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has observed that, he will win the flagbearership contest come December 2007, if only the election is free and fair. He made the observation when he rounded up his first nationwide tour at Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Constituency of the Eastern Region. “Se kululu amba mu a, aba no medi nkunim,” (I will win the NPP flagbearership race if the contest is free and fair), the former Foreign Minister is reported to have told his audience. According to the Independent newspaper, the rounding-up event brought out both the young and old from the town and its surrounding communities. ‘It was the largest crowd in the Eastern Region as far as the flagbearship contest is concerned.’ According to the paper, most of the pressmen who observed the scene were amazed at the massive turn up, because there had earlier on been an allegation that, Nana Akufo-Addo was not getting on well with his electorates. From about 2pm to 6pm, the town folk poured into the streets in jubilant groups trotting up and down and chanting victory songs as they waited for the arrival of their hero. It was as if the people of Kibi were celebrating their Ohum Festival. Addressing the people later when he arrived, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo lamented that the people of Okyenman have contributed significantly to the political history of this country, however they have not benefited from the fruits of their sweat. He called on his people to remain united than ever, and to support him physically and spiritually, adding that, the Good Lord had already ordained him as the president of the nation come 2008. Nana Akufo-Addo, who is the Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South Constituency, urged the people of Okyenman to desist from acts that will tarnish their image in ways that would provide fodder for his opponents and thereby deter delegates from using those in judging him. Speaking to newsmen, Nana Akufo-Addo's Communications Manager, Mustapha Hamid, was hopeful that his boss would emerge as the NPP's standard bearer come December 2008. According to Hamid, Nana Akufo-Addo’s message has been very much received in all the 230 constituencies across the country. He said the person who leads the party must be a loyal member of the party, a unifier, readily marketable and has leadership skills. He emphasised that, his boss has the unifying skills and demonstrated it remarkably during the flagbearership contest in 1999 when he lost the slot to Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor. He did that by gracefully accepting the verdict and spearheading then Candidate Kufuor's campaign, Hamid pointed. According to Hamid, Nana Akufo-Addo is a well known political figure, and marketing him will not be a headache at all to the party. He added that, Nana Akufo-Addo has been in leadership position through his youthful days, thus he will be able to manage the affairs of the party and the country at large. Reacting to the question on how Nana Akufo-Addo came to be very popular in the three northern and Volta regions and other zongo communities in the country, Hamid replied, "It is because Nana is an action-oriented person." He disclosed that, they will embark on second and third nationwide trips before the party's congress, and expressed optimistic that Nana Akufo Addo will win massively. Source: The Independent