NDC launches its national campaign at Oguaa

Cape Coast, Sept 25, GNA- The flagbearer of the National Democratic (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, on Saturday pledged that when his party is voted into power in the December election, it would ensure freedom and justice and respect fundamental human rights, which he said "are currently being abused by the NPP government".
He said he would institute fresh investigations into the murder of the Ya Na Yakubu Andani, stressing, "everybody deserves justice". Prof. Mills made the pledge, at the launch of the party's national campaign, for the December elections, at a mammoth rally, attended by the party's top hierarchy as well as its members and from all parts of the country, at the Victoria park at Cape Coast.
According to the NDC flagbearer, his government would always abide by the truth and strive to eliminate corruption, adding that he would take responsibility for whatever happens in his government. He said the party stands for peace and has no intention of using terrorists, to disrupt the current democratic dispensation, cautioning that those who have plans to do so should not use the NDC.
He expressed regret that many Ghanaians are disillusioned by the government's failure to live up to its promises, making life more unbearable in the country.
He said, it is in this regard, that a lot of people were now looking up to the NDC, adding, " people are crying for salvation, freedom and justice".
Prof. Mills told members of the party that although the "signs are on the walls", of defeat for the NPP in the next elections, they should not take things for granted, and rather embark on a "vigorous house to house campaign, to solicit support from the people to vote the NPP out of power".
Prof Mills said his party would adhere to its manifesto and recognising the potential of the youth, would evolve measures to ensure that their talents are effectively tapped for national development. He also announced plans to recognise the vital role women play in the nation's socio-economic development, by ensuring that a third of his government officials, was made up of women.
Touching on comments being made on the choice of Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni as his running mate, Prof Mills stressed that he had "chosen a fitting running mate", but explained that this did not mean that other persons who were mentioned, were not capable.
Prof Atta Mills told the gathering that he would "reintroduce humility and let Ghanaians know that absolute power comes from God and that a divided country cannot progress".
He said he would deal drastically with those found to be corrupt. He told party members: "we will move to the castle. But we must do so with hard work. We should therefore all unite".
The founder of the party, Flt. Lt. J J Rawlings, said about 700,000 people were disenfranchised during the recent voters' registration and photo-taking exercises and described the situation as attempts by the NPP to prevent a section of Ghanaians from voting.
He pointed out that the forthcoming elections, was not a competition among political parties, but "between freedom and justice and an oppressive regime".
He said God was now speaking through them, and that it was important to recognise, that Ghanaians, were not only hungry for food but for the basic recognition of human rights, adding "Kufuor does not respect fundamental human rights".
"Do not underestimate NPP efforts to deny or deprive you of your victory", he warned and expressed concern about the manner NPP government was ruling the country.
Flt. Lt. Rawlings, expressed concern about the current economic situation in the country, and said the government, had "no sense of purpose and was persistently lying to the people, and desperate to hang on to power, because it knows that it would be voted out in December". He tasked the people to keep watch and protect the sanctity of the electoral results and to demonstrate to the NPP that the NDC was determined to protect the constitution.
The National Chairman of the party, Dr Obed Asamoah, said "unlike President Kufuor", Prof. Mills if voted into power, would effectively solve the nation's problems and refrain from undermining the electoral process.
Other speakers were Mr John Mahama, Mr Johnson Aseidu -Nketsiah and Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe.
Earlier, party members, who came from all parts of the country, went on a procession through the principal streets of the town as the Founder of the party and the NDC flagbearer, accompanied by their wives were earlier greeted with deafening applause amidst jubilation, by party members who had defied an early morning downpour to listen to them. Prof. Mills formally introduced his running mate and the party's parliamentary candidates in the Central Region to members. 25 Sept. 04