<p></p><p>The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate for the 2016 general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo, has reiterated his commitment to boosting agriculture with a promise to transform the cashew sector into a major cash crop and foreign exchange earner, should he become President. <br></p> <p>Nana Addo promised, among others, to establish a Cashew Marketing Board to regulate the industry just as it is done for cocoa to give farmers the best prices in order to improve their livelihood. Nana Addo’s promise comes at a time when cashew farmers are unhappy with government over a decision by the Trade Ministry to place a temporary ban on the exportation of cashew nuts. <br></p> <p>He was speaking during a courtesy call on the Chiefs and people of Suma Ahenkro, in the Jaman North constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region, as they celebrated the Akwantu Kese festival. Additionally, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed for the support of the people of Suma Ahenkro ahead of the November elections this year. <br></p> <p>“I’ve come to appeal to you to trust and have confidence in me. The change we seek to bring is a change that will affect positively all parts of the country without discrimination. Suma Ahenkro is going to benefit strongly from an Akufo-Addo government. I assure you that I will not disappoint you. The trust you put in me, I will not disappoint you.” <br></p> <p>Nana Akufo-Addo, who was the special guest of honour at the Adinkra durbar, the first of its kind which commemorates the Adinkra symbol, was accompanied by national and regional party stalwarts, including the National Women’s Organiser of the NPP, Otiko Afisa Djaba; former presidential aspirant and former Minister of Trade, Industry and PSIs, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; and NPP Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh. <br></p> <p>The colourful durbar was also attended by Nana Kwasi Adinkra Agyemang, the Gyamanhene, who resides in the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, as well as eminent traditional rulers in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. <br></p> <p>In his brief remarks to the gathering, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III, the Paramount Chief of the Suma Traditional Area, thanked the NPP flagbearer for gracing the durbar, held to commemorate the journey centuries ago, by the people of Suma from Akwamu to their current settlement. <br></p> <p>With barely 8 months to the general elections, Odeneho Dr. Afram Brempong III called for peaceful polls, and a level playing field for all political parties so the outcome of the election will be readily accepted by all. <br></p> <p>He also appealed to the NPP flagbearer, should he be elected President in this year’s election, to help establish an International Adinkra Village in Suma Ahenkro to boost tourism, and also set up a satellite campus of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Suma Ahenkro. <br></p> <p>Nana Akufo-Addo, who addressed the gathering in impeccable French, for the benefit of the Ivorian participants, and in Twi, thanked the organisers of the festival for the honour done him by the invitation. He assured the chief that the NPP, as a peaceful party with a proven track record, will continue to act for peace in the conduct of the elections. <br></p> <p>He assured the paramount chief and the people of Suma Ahenkro that the requests put forward by the Chief will be given serious consideration since they were progressive ideas, should the people of Ghana entrust the mantle of leadership in his hands in this year’s elections.<br></p><p></p>