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22.02.2004 General News

NPP government is collapsing industries - Bagbin

22.02.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Wa, Feb. 22, GNA - Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament on Saturday, accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of raising unemployment in the country.

He claimed that hitherto viable industries and factories in the country were collapsing thereby laying more workers off than employing. The Minority Leader who was addressing the newly inaugurated Tertiary Institution Network of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) (TEIN) at the Wa Campus of the University of Development Studies (UDS) said with the coming to power of the NPP government Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and Kaiser Aluminium Company were collapsing.

He alleged that already over 4,000 workers of VALCO had been sent home while Kaiser Aluminium Company was selling its shares to "pack bag and baggage".

Mr. Bagbin also alleged that direct foreign investment was dwindling due to the bad economic policies, adding that, investors coming into the country had no track records in investments even in their own countries.

Minority Leader accused the NPP importing all categories of ammunitions "apparently to cause mayhem during the elections if they do not win the 2004 general elections".

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, National NDC Youth Organiser, challenged the government for claiming credit for the National Health Insurance Scheme. He said although the NDC did not publicly declare the replacement of the cash and carry system, they had an intention enacting a health endowment fund to take care of the health needs of the people. "We actually admit that cash and carry is difficult, but the NPP government policy cannot help as they are not transparent."

Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, MP for Wenchi West, said the government was preaching virtues and practicing vice.

"The Vice President has launched a crusade on indiscipline, yet most of their MPs and Ministers are not often punctual to occasions, is that not indiscipline," he questioned.

The UDS, NDC Youth Wing has Tsimesi F.K. Walker as President, Abugbila Bukari and Agbedam Jacob Atteh as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively, Agalga Sheghard and Mohammed Abudlul Razak as Organiser and Financial Secretary respectively.

The rest are Asamoah Richard Mensah and Habib Abubakari Treasurer and Propaganda Secretary respectively while Mutiu Zakaria, Rita Eglegbe and Alhassan Abudulai Nambili as Women's Organiser, Deputy Women's Organiser and Press Secretary respectively.

Other people who addressed the gathering were Mr. Ludwig Hlodze, Deputy National Youth Organiser and Mr. Tsimesi F.K. Walker, Campus President of TEIN.

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