‘No Second Round’ says Nana Ntow at forum in Amsterdam

L-R: Charles Owiredu, Nana Ntow and Kobby Annan

Nana Ohene Ntow, the General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is in Holland attending the annual conference of the Netherlands Institute of Multiparty Democracy, took the opportunity to also interact with a cross-section of Ghanaians living in Holland, at a well-attended forum in Amsterdam, hours after his arrival at Schiphol Airport on Sunday in the company of Mr. Charles Owiredu, head of NPP International affairs.

In his keynote address, the General Secretary, who also served as former government spokes person on finance, said every government has its economic problems that seem to threaten its national economic progress. But in the light of that, the NPP government has created well functioning economic “shock absorbers” in dealing with unforeseeable economic shocks. As a result of the effective functioning of these “shocks absorbing” policies, Ghana's economy has been stable even in the wake of rising world oil prices and flopping export produce prices etc, whilst some major economies are plunged into recession when confronted with the same events.

The General Secretary told the gathering that, Representation of the Peoples Amendment Law (Ropal) is a constitutional right, but not a privilege given by the NPP government. The NPP government indeed deemed it necessary to urge parliament to amend PNDCL 284 which allowed only some selected Ghanaians who work under the UN, Ghana diplomatic missions abroad and were on government scholarships to enjoy the right to vote.

He said even though Parliament has passed the law, it is the Electoral Commission that has the final say in its operation.” The president of Ghana has no legal right or power to dictate to Ghana's Electoral Commission on when to implement Ropal or how to carry out its work.” It is ridiculous for any one to suggest that, parliament passed Ropal to help NPP rig 2008 election. Nana Ntow said.

“Fortunately we have the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) which the EC engages in discussion so as to minimize possible electoral litigation. He said whether Ropal is implemented by the EC or not the NPP will win the 2008 election hands down, thus “NO SECOND ROUND!!”

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Kobby Annan, Chairman of NPP Holland reiterated the branch's willingness to continue with financial, material and moral contributions to the party in support of national campaign for decisive electoral victory in 2008. The Chairman commended Mr. Yeboah Dabanka (life-patron) Nana Oduro Nyamekye, member of council of elders, Mr. Adu Amankwaa (a.k.a To Me), Mr. Osei Tutu Banahene, Dr. Kwasi Boahene and Mr. Kwaku Duah, all party fatefuls for working tirelessly without losing focus, amidst the challenges over the couple of years.

In a message sent through the Gen. Secretary, Mr. Kobby Annan the NPP urge presidential hopefuls to conduct their campaign with decorum bearing the unity of the party in mind, in order to maintain the peace and unity of the enviable Danquah-Busia tradition. He asked Ghanaians both home and abroad to observe the economic gains made under the NPP government and help retain power in 2008.

He thanked the General Secretary for honouring the invitation to the forum and interacting with party branch members and executives. “Such visit to interact with us serves as a morale booster not only to us but to all Diaspora branches”, Mr. Annan asserted.

In answer to questions posed by some participants during question time, Nana Ohene Ntow said the government has acquired funding towards rehabilitation of the Kumasi International Airport, in line with its vision of transforming the country into an aviation hub. He further explained that a vast land has also been acquired to construct a new international airport in the Ashanti region as part of government's long term aviation development agenda.

The project he said, will position Kumasi strategically in the West African Sub-region, adding that the Sunyani and Takoradi airports as well, are all on the government's aviation infrastructure and developmental agenda.

Nana Ohene Ntow also answered questions posed to him concerning armed robbery, Custom clearing procedures at Ghana ports, Road safety, Land title registration, and Road safety, which undoubtedly are the concerns of most Ghanaians living abroad. He commended the Holland branch of the Party for being able to organise such a meeting at short notice.

Present at the meeting was Ghana's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Amponsah Ababio.