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07.11.2004 NPP

Give your mandate to NPP - Aliu asks Upper West

07.11.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Wa (U/W) Nov 07, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Sunday launched the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Election Campaign in the Upper West Region with an appeal to supporters to rally behind the President and their parliamentary candidates to massively win in the region.

At a rally, attended by a huge crowd at the Wanwan Park, Vice President Mahama stressed the need for the supporters to elect candidates running on the NPP's ticket, explaining that no representative could serve them better than those from their party.

He said: "It is very important to have people who would have no inhibitions about working with the NPP Administration because we are confident that President Kufuor would be retuned to power. You, therefore, need people you can easily send to the seat of government and who are capable of boldly entering any office to present your requests." The NPP did not win any parliamentary seat in the 2000 elections in Ghana's youngest region.

Vice President Mahama said some supporters were still harbouring the bitterness and acrimony that characterized some of the primaries and advised them to overcome their grievances and forge ahead in unity to work towards victory.

"As democrats, we should understand that when the people have made their choice in a contest, there is no need to dwell on who are victors or losers," he said.

"We need to support whoever is elected to move ahead. When that person fails to perform, we would have the chance to elect another one when his or her term is ended."

Vice President Aliu described as baseless, the allegations of the NPP's rivals that the ruling party intended to manipulate the Electoral Commission to rig the December Polls.

He wondered how there could be any manipulation when most of the key personnel at the EC were appointed during the era of the NDC. He said the NPP Administration had worked to the admiration of Ghanaians who had openly pledged their strong support to return it to power.

It is therefore unnecessary for the party to resort to any actions that are not only criminal but disgraceful.

"If you talk about education, security, the economy, health, agriculture, infrastructure and every sector, we have improved significantly on the situation we inherited and the people of Ghana are willing to give President Kufuor another four years to strengthen his achievements," he said.

"If they have no messages, they should wait patiently and pray until they get the chance to rule again and not resort to the peddling of lies and actions that would undermine the pace and unity of the country." Vice President Mahama said the determination of the NPP Administration to ensure peace and freedom in the nation must not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.

"However, it does not mean that because we are peace-loving people, we would allow any individual to destabilize the nation's march to progress. We would squarely deal with nation wreckers in line with the rule of law if the need arises."

Mr Sahanun Mogtari, the Upper West Regional Minister, urged the people to vote massively for the NPP to continue with its development programme in the region.

"All over the region, we are constructing schools, health centres, roads and giving other amenities to improve the standard of living of the people and this should encourage you to vote for the party," he said.

Alhaji Moctar Musah Bamba, MP for Wenchi East, also urged the supporters to bury their factional differences and mobilize support for the party.

He said he had difficulties when he lost the primary, but he had overcome it and was campaigning for the Party.

Vice President Mahama introduced the nine candidates of the party to the supporters.

They are Professor Kasim Kasanga for Nadowli East, Major Edward Yirimambo (RTD) for Wa West, Mr Godfrey Bayong Tangu, Wa East; Mr Mohammed Adama Kpeglah, Wa Central; Dr Daniel Bagah-Nadowli West and Mr Ambrose Dery,Lawra Nandom.

The rest are Dr Sebastian Bemile, Lambussie; Mrs Winifred Dy-Yaka-Jirapa and Mr George Benson-Sissala West. The Parliamentary candidates also urged the electorate to give them the chance to serve them.

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