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24.08.2004 General News

Government would not tolerate insurgents - Hackman

24.08.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Sunyani, Aug. 24, GNA - Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of the Interior has said the Government would not allow any individual or political party to disturb the peace of the country.
"The security situation in the country is very paramount to the Government and so, will not allow anyone to destroy the peace cherished by Ghanaians", he said.
Mr Owusu-Agyeman was speaking at a unity rally organized by Sunyani East Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party in Sunyani. He stated: " The security situation in the country is stable and that is why the state of emergency in Dagbon in the Northern Region has been lifted". He added, however that, there were still security personnel in the area to control any eventualities.
The Minister warned that any person who would attempt to subvert the security of the nation would be taken care of "as that person will not be allowed to go his or her own way at the expense of the rest of Ghanaians".
Mr Owusu-Agyeman urged the public not to be alarmed about false information peddled by some people about the importation of arms into the country.
"The arms were not imported to fight any group of people but to equip the security personnel to work effectively, especially as we approach the election season", he said.
The Minister told the teeming members and supporters at the rally that, the Government would continue to protect the people to ensure the preservation of the nation's integrity and advised the public to be disciplined for a violence-free Elections 2004.
Mr Dan Botwe, General Secretary of NPP, said the Party had a tradition, which recognised the sacrifices made by its founding fathers.
"The Party did not come to power through a coup d'etat or any forced means, but through the hard work of people dedicated to the cause of true democracy."
The General Secretary urged Party members and supporters to take inspiration from the founding fathers and to remain united to maintain the Party's tradition.
Mr Botwe announced that, the Party was training polling station agents nationwide to help ensure free and fair elections and asked Party supporters to take decisions in the interest of the Party.
Mr J. H. Mensah, Senior Minister and incumbent MP for Sunyani East expressed optimism that the NPP would win the election for the second time as all indications showed that voters had already made up their minds for it.
He said, "the NDC is toiling in vain as Ghanaians will never vote them back to power after they have tasted the faithfulness of President Kufuor's Government".
Mr Kwame Twumasi, NPP Regional Youth Organiser and Nana Obiri-Boahen, both Sunyani-based legal practitioners and Dr Kofi Barimah, a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic University at Fiapre, near Sunyani, aspiring parliamentary candidates for the constituency, announced their withdrawal from the race.
In all, six candidates were vying for the Party's tickets in the constituency.
They pledged their support for Mr Mensah "for the development of the Constituency".
Some Ministers of State and Constituency Executives of the Party took turns to address the rally.


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