Aspiring MP challenges Prof Mills

Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Parliamentary Candidate for Effutu Awutu Constituency, Mr Samuel Owusu Agyei on Saturday challenged Professor John Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate to show his political record of achievement to the electorate.

He said: "As a former Vice President desiring the high office of President of the Republic must show his accomplishment over the period, which would offer the electorate the basis to judge that against President John Agyekum Kufuor's record".

Mr Owusu-Agyei told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra: "Prof Mills, practical attachment during the last phase of the NDC II was a disaster and questioned the basis for seeking for the people's mandate.

"Ghanaians took the risk, rejected the NDC in Elections 2000, have tasted Positive Change Administration of good governance, adherence to rule of law and improvement in the economic standard of the country, these are the yardstick to vote for NPP II".

He said the NPP was sure to win massively in both the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, and advised the opposition parties to adhere to the principles of democracy and accept the results in good faith.

"We should all pledge our commitment to work within the democratic course, which we have embarked upon since 1992 and guard against any undemocratic acts after the elections."

Mr Owusu Agyei, who is the Chief Director, Ministry of Health, said the NPP victory celebration would start from the Effutu Awutu Constituency and urged the electorate to intensify the house-to-house campaign "to convert more souls into the Party to ensure a resounding victory."

He noted that there are more floating voters, who had not made up their minds. "We should explain the Party's policies and programmes to them," he said.

The Effutu Awutu Aspiring MP said everybody's rights would be respected and defended irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.

Mr Owusu-Agyei noted that the Constituency needed a new MP, who would help make health care accessible to the people, facilitate job creation for the youth and encourage people to develop their potentials in a congenial atmosphere.

He reiterated his call for peace, unity and stability during the elections saying it should be the responsibility of every Ghanaian to guard against violence.

Mr Owusu-Agyei urged members of the various parties especially the electorate in the constituency to refrain from making inflammatory statements, which could degenerate into conflicts.

"As much as possible, try to refrain from activities that could disturb the peace," he exhorted the parties, stressing: "We are one people with a common destiny and we should not allow politics to divide us."

He alleged that vote rigging and other forms of cheating were high on the agenda of some politicians and urged the Party's polling agents to be extra-vigilant on the day of the election. He also cautioned them to be wary of attempts to influence them with monetary and other gifts.