The People's National Convention (PNC) presidential hopeful, Dr Edward Mahama, has predicted a violence-free election on December 7, 2008, since the PNC's 'surprise' victory will prevent any violent reactions.

He said the PNC stood for peace and that the party had adopted a strategy of  'surprise and shock' that would shock the supporters of the so-called major political parties and put matters to rest.

'There is so much anxiety over the elections to the extent that most people think it would be marred by violence; but let me tell you that as far as PNC is concerned, there would be no violence as the party is wining convincingly'.

Dr Mahama was addressing a Northern Regional rally at the Zogbeli Junior High School Park at Tamale . Enthusiastic party supporters, dressed in party colours and others from surrounding towns, attended the rally. The supporters from Yendi could not, however, make it to the rally ground as their vehicle was involved in an accident. No deaths were recorded but some of them sustained minor injuries.

Dr Mahama entreated the electorate not to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), stressing that a vote for the PNC would ensure peace, stability, jobs and happiness for the youth.

'PNC is a people-centred party that would bring prosperity and peace to the people; I can assure you that a PNC government will ensure progress in leaps and bounds,' he further told the teeming supporters.

He said the PNC would spring a surprise in the election, saying that 'God in His own wisdom is going to bring the PNC to power to build a solid foundation for the nation in the next 50 years.

Our last-minute surprise and shock strategy is working for us as the electorate are being convinced to consider the PNC as the best alternative government'.

 
According to Dr Mahama, a PNC government would put in place effective mechanisms and policies that would create more jobs for the youth so that they would stop 'crossing the desert to seek greener pastures'.

'Your ticket to job security is to vote for the PNC. The party has a lot to offer including the implementation of a Health Maintenance Organisation that will create the conducive environment for Ghana's life expectancy ratio to multiply,' he pointed out.

The PNC presidential candidate intimated that the PNC would offer Ghanaian farmers, particularly those in the northern part, real hope and ensure that they were treated fairly.

The National Women's Organiser of PNC, Hajia Hajara Ali, noted that the PNC was a party that cared for women, and that was why it chose Madam Petra Maria Amegashie as its vice-presidential candidate.

'None of the other parties chose a woman as the running mate and that is why the PNC is different from the other parties. I urge people of the North to vote for the PNC to avoid marginalisation of the area,' she stated.

Hajia Ali observed that the PNC had all it took to change the attitude of Ghanaians towards work and further ensure guaranteed future for them.

A leading member of the PNC in Belgium, Madam Ouedraugo Sala, noted that the party had a massive support base in that country but stressed the need for the people of northern Ghana to unite and avoid divisive tendencies to accelerate development in the area.

The Regional Women's Organiser and the parliamentary candidate of the party for  Tamale Central, Madam Baby Madi, stated that lack of job opportunities for women and 'streetism' were some of the issues that she would help address when given the nod to be  parliamentarian.

'I would liaise with the non-governmental organisations to try to get children off the streets of Tamale and provide them with educational materials to enable them to go to school,' she stated.

The Regional Organiser of the PNC, Mr Sani Mahama, called on the electorate to change their voting pattern and consider voting for the PNC.

The PNC parliamentary cadidate for Walewale, Mr Abdallah Abubakari, wondered why the ruling NPP government did not consider putting north under its Presidential Special Initiatives, saying, 'We deserve  PSI on guineafowl, sheabutter and cotton but we don't have them; that is why the PNC is the only alternative government that can take Ghanaians out of abject poverty,' he pointed out.

Dr Mahama later introduced parliamentary candidates in the Northern Region to the electorate and urged the electorate to vote for them, come December 7, 2008.

 
Story ByMusah Yahaya Jafaru & Vincent Adedze