Presidential election, between Kufuor and Rawlings not Mills-Jake

Tema, Nov. 08, GNA - The Tema West constituency campaign of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was on Sunday launched with a call on Ghanaians to compare the administrations of both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and vote accordingly.

Launching it, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the City said in comparison, achievements under PNDC/NDC's 20 years governance does not match that of the NPP's four years.

"NPP's four years governance has equipped the Ghana Police Service which had only 100 vehicles and no stationery but now has 600, renovated the universities, brought inflation down to ten percent, resourced schools, built new ones and introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme, among many others".

He, therefore, entreated the constituents to analyse the governance of the two parties in terms of development and freedom and make informed choice on the voting day.

According to him, the presidential election is very crucial because the "NPP is engaged in a very important battle which is between President John Agyekum Kufuor and ex-president Jerry John Rawlings and not Professor John Evans Atta Mills, NDC presidential aspirant.

He explained that former President Rawlings has consistently being at forefront of Prof Mills' campaign, "but we will face him in this third and final round to settle matters once and for all because Ghanaians are finished with him."

The NPP will never relinquish its post to the NDC, which in spite of its long rule achieved very little for the nation and criticised its "Sankofa" slogan, which, he said is full of negative recollections. "Are we going back for the intimidation, cash and carry, harsh economy policies among others, the Minister asked.

He expressed the NPP's determination in building a positive change "chapter two" for the present and future generation to enjoy.

Mr Obetsebi Lamptey introduced Mr Abraham Ossei-Aidoo, the incumbent MP, who is seeking re-election for the third time and described him as a hard working man who has brought relief to many families and the community and therefore, should be returned to office.

Mr Lord Commey, National Organiser, said the party is interested in seeing interrupted elections and called for extra vigilance at polling stations to avoid rigging.

He alleged that the NDC has calculated plans to rig the elections at Nkwanta South in the Volta Region and that steps were being taken to prevent that.

Mr Darko Mensah, MP for Okaikoi North impressed on NPP members to embark on a house to- house campaign and convince the people with the good work of the government to vote massively for its return to power. Mr Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Fosu said unlike late Dr Hilla Limman's government of the People's National Party which was toppled by ex-president Rawlings, the NPP would not sit down unconcerned for similar incident to happen to disturb the smooth democratic governance. This, however, calls for unity among party members to prevent infiltration into their ranks and muster the courage to expose coup plotters in the system.

Mr Peter Asiedu, a Tema based businessman and a leading member of the NDC, who defected to the National Reform Party mounted the stage and declared his unflinching support for Mr. Ossei-Aidoo.

"I am convinced by the hard and good work of the NPP and Mr Ossei-Aidoo and therefore support him to win massively".

Mr Ossei-Aidoo urged the people to vote him to power to continue with the good work of sponsoring the youth to learn various vocations, resource of schools and rehabilitate all roads in the constituency.