The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Paul Afoko, yesterday
reiterated his pledge to members of the party that he will do everything
legitimately possible to return the party to power by winning the 2016
general elections, even at the peril of his life.
Mr. Afoko reaffirmed
his commitment to delivering victory for the party when he read a
tribute on behalf of the NPP at an "Adua" held in honour of the late
Alhaji R.I Alhassan, the party stalwart who partnered the late Prof
Albert Adu Boahene as the running mate in the 1992 general elections.
The funeral was held at the private residence of the late Alhaji
Alhassan, at Sagnarigu, near the old Tamale Airport in the Northern
Region yesterday.
An emotional Paul Afoko stated that he was indebted to the late R.I
Alhassan for the "unconditional support" he gave to him when he
indicated his decision to run for the National Chairman position of the
NPP.
According to the NPP National Chairman, the best tribute he can offer
the late Alhaji R.I Alhassan is to make sure the NPP recaptures power
from the National Democratic Congress in the 2016 elections.
"I will make sure that the NPP wins power in 2016 even if it kills me," he stressed.
Mr. Afoko explained that his last encounter with the late R.I Alhassan
took place on the very day he was elected National Chairman of the NPP
at the recent Tamale National Delegates’ Conference.
"Little did I know that 8 hours after sharing this news with my father,
he would join our ancestors," a sorrowful Paul Afoko said.
He extolled the spirit of selflessness exhibited by the late NPP
stalwart when he joined others like the late Adu Boahene in the struggle
for the return of the country into multi-party democracy.
"The late R.I Alhassan did not enter politics for fame, wealth or
power. He went into politics to serve. He was full of God's love and
commitment and radiated these qualities wherever he was and to whom he
came into contact with," Mr. Afoko emphasized.
The NPP National Chairman urged the nation’s politicians to take
inspiration from the selfless public life of the late Alhaji Alhassan
and rededicate themselves to nation building, challenging them to wean
themselves from the perception of entering politics to amass wealth at
the expense of the suffering masses.
He described the late party stalwart as a man who “was full of service
blood and commitment,” adding “he related equally to whoever he worked
with and to whom he came into contact with.” He further described him as
a gem of the north whose lifestyle should serve as a guide to all
politicians.
The 2012 NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said
the late Alhaji Alhassan would forever be remembered for his
contribution to building Ghana.
Nana Addo described the late R.I Alhassan as a fearless statesman who
served in various capacities to move the nation forward, especially
within the Ghanaian legal framework. According to Nana Addo, Ghana needs
such patriots to consolidate her democratic credentials.
He commended the former Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany for passionately
responding to national duty on bipartisan lines, adding that his
contribution to the success of the previous Kufour administration could
not be underestimated.
Touted as the first northerner to be called to the Bar, the late R.I
Alhassan was the Chief Patron of the New Patriotic Party in the Northern
Region. He died at the 37 Military Hospital on April 15.
A high powered NPP delegation led by the national Chairman, Paul Afoko,
Nana Akufo Addo and Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia attended the funeral.
Also at the funeral was a government delegation led by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru.
Source: The New Statesman
No comments:
Post a Comment