Kufuor calls for law and order at polling stations

Koforidua, Dec. 3, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday appealed to Ghanaians to assist maintain law and order at all polling stations on December 7.

He said this was the only way to nip in the bud any attempts by individuals or groups to cause confusion or mayhem to disrupt the peaceful free and fair elections being advocated by the Government. President Kufuor made the appeal when addressing an Eastern Regional rally of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Koforidua. He said the Government had created a very congenial atmosphere for Ghanaians to be self-confident and to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

"Opponents of the Government envious of its achievements since 2001 are afraid of their own shadows and would try all avenues to disrupt the elections for their selfish ends. The Government is not prepared to deal with their evil intentions. Vengeance is the Lord's", he said. President Kufuor said politics was not about war with each other and elections were conducted to wrestle power for development but not to harass, intimidate or for vengeance against opponents.

He said the power given to the NPP in 2001 which would be renewed for another four years on December 7 would be used to develop the country for every Ghanaian to be self-confident and have a feeling of belonging to a united, peaceful and prosperous nation regardless of ethnic group, religion or sex.

"The NPP is a national Party that belongs to all Ghanaians and the Government would continue to develop all parts of the country irrespective of those who renewed its mandate or not", he added.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said this year's elections would not be as hectic as the 2000 polls because most of the electorates had made up their minds after comparing the performance of the NPP since 2001 and the almost 20 years of the PNDC and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said a firm foundation for the country's economic take-off had been established and when the mandate of the Government is renewed under the 'Positive Change Chapter Two', the country's socio-economic development would be accelerated.

Mr Osafo-Maafo appealed to the members, supporters and sympathizers of the NPP not to be complacent but turn out in their numbers as evidenced to vote massively for the Party on December 7.

Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said God had blessed Ghana that despite the harassment and intimidation of the members and supporters of the Party, during the 2000 elections they stood firm for the truth and the Party emerged victorious and had since then grown from strength to strength.

"President Kufuor will win massively on December 7 because of his sterling leadership qualities and his performance since 2001", he said. Nana Akufo-Addo said the Eastern Region would follow the Ashanti Region and sweep all the 28 Parliamentary seats.

Mr Allan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives (PSI), told the teeming crowd to translate their attendance at the rally into votes for both the Presidential and Parliamentary candidates of the NPP.

He said anyone who failed to exercise his or her franchise on Election Day would have done a great disservice to the Party because it would not augur well for the Party's massive victory.

Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, National Campaign Manager of the NPP, said December 7 would mark the final day for true democracy in Ghana.

He said Ghanaians were in the 'wilderness' for almost 20 years but they never lost hope until they were liberated during the December 2000 elections when the NPP took over the reigns of power.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said history would be made on December 7 when the mandate of the NPP would be renewed and the country would continue to develop under the leadership of a self-respected President Kufuor, admired by Ghanaians.

President Kufuor introduced some of the NPP Parliamentary candidates present at the rally to the enthusiastic crowd who lined up the streets cheering and waving to welcome President Kufuor and his entourage to the rally grounds.