NPP Markets Olele’s Kalypo Baby Drink Over Its 2016 Manifesto

With few days to the 2016 Presidential and parliamentary elections, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has opted to freely advertise the baby drink; Kalyppo Fruit Juice, above its policies for Ghanaians for the next four years, should its Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, win the 2016 elections and takeover the Flagstaff House from the current occupant, John Dramani Mahama.

Although, the NPP, had put Ghanaians on notice by advertising the launch of its 2016 Manifesto at the Ghana Trade Fare Company, for well over two weeks now, details of its presidential candidate campaign, especially in the Greater Accra Region, have been buried with every notable face in the party concentrated on what is now known as ‘KalypoChallenge’ not the highlights of the manifesto as done by President Mahama with the governing National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) manifesto.

Amazingly, producers of Kalyppo, Aquafresh Limited, located at the Light Industrial Area off the Spintex Road in Accra, have revealed on its website that “Kalyppo is the flagship natural fruit juice brand from Aquafresh Limited. Our fruit juices have no added preservatives and they are fortified with nutrients and essential vitamins to increase the well being of children ages 4 – 16 years old”.

But so far, Semira Bawumia, wife of Nana Addo’s running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Acting National Chairman, Freddie Blay, Acting General Secretary, John Boadu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West Constituency, Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful and several others, have all taking pictures of themselves and posting them on the internet and various social media platforms.

It started with Nana Akufo-Addo, seated in his car with the ex-Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo-Marfo, busily sipping on the 250ml product from Aquafresh Limited .

The picture taken by an aide, went viral and the NPP in an attempt to quickly undo a possible backlash, declared the ‘KalypoChallenge’ and ordered all its members, especially its national executives to take pictures of themselves sipping the drink, which became famous, following a television commercial featuring ex-Black Star goalie, Richard Laryea Kingston, alias Olele.

Interestingly, the 73-year old Nana Akufo-Addo, has many times been likened to Olele, who at one point was the oldest player in the senior national team – Black Stars – and asked to retire gracefully and not from a disgraceful defeat at the presidential polls.

Meanwhile, Mustapha Hamid, Spokesperson to the NPP Presidential nominee, claims there is shortage of Kalyppo in the various markets and shops due to the craze by Ghanaians to have the latter in power.

He indicated that most Ghanaians, have resorted to purchasing and drinking Kalypo in solidarity for the party’s presidential nominee, hence the mad rush.

Speaking on Abusua FM’s Abusua Nkommo, hosted by Kwame Adinkrah, Mr. Hamid, emphasized that the craze in the country was an indication that, Nana Addo, is hugely accepted by the populace.

‘This Kalypo you are talking about, there is shortage of the drink in the markets and shops in Accra due to the mad rush by people. When this happens, public relations expert would explain that the person behind the shortage of the drink who has the country at heart, yearning to change the fortunes of Ghana, is hugely accepted by Ghanaians.

People have come to the realisation that, Nana Addo, who has the blessings of God is the chosen one. We are taught in our Muslims, Christians, Buddists, Hindus and the various religious bodies hat leaders are role models, so a role model can be a good or a bad role model depending on the character traits of the person, is much followed by people, Ghanaians are yearning for change,’ he said.

He wondered, why the country is governed by a photo copy of ideas by Nana Addo, when the originator could be voted into power.

‘Nana Addo proposed Northern Development Authority (NDA) in 2008 and the NDC, kicked against it but, when they assumed office, they copied the policy idea and changed the name to Savannah Accelerated Development Authourity (SADA), the same with free Senior High School (SHS), cancelled nurses and teachers training allowances, now he has swallowed his own words, promising to pay the allowances, President Mahama, is ruling the nation based on Nana Addo’s wisdom, ‘he stated.

Mr. Hamid, accused the Mahama-led NDC of mismanaging the economy, calling on Ghanaians to vote massively for Nana Addo, and the NPP in December polls.

Nana Addo, has a habit of eating in public carelessly and being captured by camera. Ahead of the 2012 elections, he was captured publicly chewing peanuts and drinking pure water. He was also captured eating Kenkey with his longtime intimate friend, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, during a tour of the Greater Accra Region.

He was also captured in Nungua in the company of ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney General, James Ayikoi Otoo, eating Kplekple with Palm Soup in the full glare of the public. There were others times in which he was seen chewing on roasted maize in public, sitting next to his running mate, Dr. Bawumia.

This year, his wife, has also been captured in Labadi eating Kenkey with fried fish, while campaigning for her husband and NPP Parliamentary candidate Vincent Sowah Odotei.

The picture circulating on various social media in which Nana Addo is sipping Kalyppo during one of his campaign tours, therefore, comes as no surprise.

The NPP, has been at pains seeking to have Ghanaians see him as an ordinary man, after years of being seen snobbish and arrogant.