Kufuor bemoans politics of insults

Agona Swedru - President J.A. Kufuor has expressed grave concern about insults, outright lies and unfounded allegations being peddled by some politicians in their election campaigns in the run-up to the December general election.

He said such insidious and malicious campaign, propaganda and baseless allegations against leaders and innocent public officials could create confusion and anarchy in an otherwise peaceful political environment prevailing in the country.

He, therefore, appealed to the chiefs and opinion leaders in the society to speak against such emerging trend in the body politic and reject such politicians.

President Kufuor made the appeal when he addressed separate durbars of chiefs and people at Agona Swedru and Agona Nyarkrom in the Central Region to mark the celebration of their Akwanbo festivals at the weekend.

He also addressed similar durbars at Apam, Ekumfi Narkwa and Yamoransa as part of his two-day tour of the Central Region. At all the places, the people accorded the President and his entourage a rousing welcome.

At Agona Swderu, after according the President a rousing welcome at about 6p.m., some of the people remained along the main street of the town till as late as 9 p.m. to bid him farewell on his return from Agona Nyarko, where he delivered his address to the people at a durbar at about 7.30p.m.

President Kufuor said content analysis of some of the radio and television programmes as well as newspapers revealed such malicious campaign and unfounded allegations against the leadership of the country, innocent public officials and decent citizens of the land.

He said any politician or individual who had evidence of malfeasance and misconduct against public officials should be prepared to report such a person to the police or pursue the matter in the law court instead of peddling lies and destroying the hard-won reputation of innocent and decent people.

At Yamaransa, Nana Okese Essando, the Omanhene of the Nkusukom Traditional Area, appealed to the government to implement programmes to reduce the high level of poverty in the area.

He further called on the government to establish a police station and rehabilitate the road to his palace.

Responding to the chief's request, the President assured him that the government would intensify efforts to enhance the living conditions of the people.

He briefed the people on some of the programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, free compulsory education for children in pre-school and stabilisation of the macro-economic environment.

The President assured the people that the government would not use any foul means to secure victory in the forthcoming elections; neither would it allow any individual or group to do same.