Let`s tackle cocaine in non-partisan manner- Mills

The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has underscored the need for the country's political leaders to adopt a non-partisan approach in tackling the menace of cocaine that has consistently plagued the country.

According to him, the rate at which drug peddlers and cocaine barons use the country as destination and transit points for drug related activities should be a matter of concern to every Ghanaian.

Prof. Mills expressed this concern when he addressed the party faithful in Kumasi, as part of his campaign tour to the Region, and noted that the phenomenon had dented the country's international image and reputation to the extent that there was the need to take a holistic approach in tackling the menace.

He said the ruling NPP government was practicing what he described as selective arrest of people involved in drug activities, while it deliberately let some other people off the hook.

The NDC flagbearer, however, pledged to deal diligently with anybody, be it a public official in his government who will be implicated in illicit drug activities.

Prof. Mills further accused the government of NPP under President Kufuor for bringing untold hardship to Ghanaians as a result of its policies described as insensitive.

He said after several calls by the opposition NDC, the government has now seen the need to reduce the burden imposed on the citizens of this country through it full cost recovery programme, by removing the numerous tax components on petroleum prices. He said the NDC now feels vindicated seven years after consistently calling on the government to adopt such an intervention.

The flagbearer promised that an NDC government would create an enabling environment that would encourage the private sector to flourish in business and also implement policies that would ensure the creation of adequate jobs for the youth.

He promised to upgrade the Kumasi Airport to International standards and also speed up progress on the construction of the Inland Port at Boankra, in order to facilitate business activities in the region.

Prof. Mills observed that considering the myriad of problems that the country was going through, it needs a leader who is committed and dedicated to make decisions that would salvage the nation from its economic doldrums and set it on a path for accelerated development.

The National Organizer of the party, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, on his part called on the people who are disillusioned as a result of the unfulfilled promises of the NPP, to embrace the NDC and vote the party back to power so that it can continue its laudable policies to bring total development in this country.

Prof Atta Mills was accompanied on his campaign tour by his running mate, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, the General Secretary of the party, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, the Communication Director of the NDC's campaign team, Mrs. Hannah Tetteh Kpoda, Haruna Iddrisu and Mohammed Ayariga, both members of the campaign team.