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01.04.2008 Politics

MP Calls For Clean Campaign

01.04.2008 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

THE NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikoi North, Elizabeth Sackey has made a passionate appeal to politicians to engage in clean campaigns devoid of personality attacks and acrimony.

She said as the country approached the crucial general elections, aspirants should base their campaigns on issues and refrain from destroying one another since such acts would not augur well for the nation's infant democracy.

“We are not enemies; we are one people. However, we must bear in mind that we have a common enemy outside to fight, therefore damaging each other would not augur well for the country and party,” she stressed.

Mrs. Sackey made this comment when she interacted with journalists on Friday soon after submitting her nomination forms to contest the primary in the constituency at the party office in Abeka.

The incumbent MP was among six others who had filed their nominations to contest for the seat. They are Kofi Ayisi Tettey, first Constituency Vice Chairman of NPP; John Owusu Afriyie, former Chairman; Darko Mensah, former MP; Boye Larye and Love Joy Armah. Each of the aspirants had paid the GH¢1,000 nomination fee.

Mrs. Sackey said even though she would not attack any of the parliamentary aspirants who would attack her personality, she would not take it kindly should her name be dragged in the mud.
“I will not take it kindly if my name is tarnished.”

The aspiring MP stated that her slogan when she stood for the position four years ago was “Enyee easy,” to wit, it is not easy, but her slogan this time round is “Eye easy,” meaning it is easy; because the ground had been soften for her to win, having worked so well to bring development to the constituency.

She compared her four-year term to President Kufuor's four-year term in 2004 when he sought the mandate for the second time, explaining that she was following her boss' footsteps so she could continue with her unfinished business.

“It's a bonus for you to say a very big 'thank you' to me,” she told the party foot soldiers gathered at the party office to register their support for her.

Highlighting her achievements over the past four years, Mrs. Sackey mentioned the construction of roads in six electoral areas, provision of 350 street lights, replacement of wooden bridges with concrete ones, construction of six places of convenience, installation of gari processing plant and corn mill at Nii Boye Town, registration of 3,000 people under the National Health Insurance Scheme, financial assistance for women and construction of three-classroom block and a computer lab for Abofu Junior High School.

Spelling out her vision for the constituency when given the nod again, she hinted she would institute a talent development centre at Achimota to offer career guidance to the youth and as well equip the Achimota Hospital with facilities to effectively serve the people in the area and its environs.

“It is my vision to complete all projects and initiate new ones,” she intoned.

Mr. Appaih-Kubi, Constituency Organiser, urged all parliamentary aspirants in the constituency to avoid personality attacks in their campaigns and ensure that their actions were those that would help the party retain political power.

By Sheilla Sackey

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