First anniversary of government : Activities

Ashanti NPP organises mammoth rally

THE Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has held a mammoth rally to climax the first anniversary of the Kufuor administration in Kumasi.

Addressing the rally, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, MR Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, called on the gathering to involve themselves in the forthcoming district assembly elections to ensure that competent persons are elected to manage the assemblies.

He said since the improvement of the national economy depends on the development of the rural communities , there is the people to elect persons of integrity to initiate programme to open their economies of such rural communities.

He cautioned that the Kufuor administration will never tolerate corruption and other anti-social tendencies that will switch back the clock of progress of the country.

The minister, therefore, called on district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives to live above reproach to win the confidence of the people.

Mr Baah-Wiredu advised Ghanaians to rally behind the government to move the country forward.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, said his ministry will give equal attention to the developments, of all sporting disciplines.

Mr Osei-Kwaku said the ministry has also seriously committed itself to the development of the youth to make them responsible citizens in the future.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr S.K. Boafo, urged members of the party to be vigilant and work in the years ahead to ensure that the party retains power in the 2004 elections.

He called on party activists to embark on regular party campaigns to explain to supporters of the party government policies and programmes.

Mr Boafo said the party is poised to win all the seats in region at the next parliamentary polls.

President interacts with a section of Ghanaians at a cocktail

President John Agyekum Kufuor accompanied by his wife Theresa, Vice President Aliu Mahama and his wife Ramatu interacted with a cross-section of Ghanaians at a cocktail held at the forecourt of the State House to climax activities marking the ninth anniversary celebrations of the Fourth Republic.

President Kufuor shook hands and chat freely with the people that included members of the Diplomatic Corps, politicians, chiefs, Parliamentarians, Ministers of State and other functionaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

At the cocktail was Dr Edward Mahama, Presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC) and Professor George Panyin Hagan, Presidential Candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Commission on Culture (NCC). The Central Police Band provided music.

Fireworks mark NPP anniversary

Cape Coast (Central Region) -- The Central Regional Co-ordinating Council on Sunday organised fireworks to mark the first anniversary of "Positive Change" of New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and the ninth anniversary celebration of the Fourth Republic at the Victoria Park at Cape Coast.

The function, which was well attended, came to an abrupt end at about 2200 hours following a downpour. Earlier some of the party members in a jubilant mood danced to music provided by Super Cas Sounds.

Mr Isaac Edumadze, Central Regional Minister, Mr Munuru Arafat Nuhu, Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive and party functionaries attended.

NPP Vigil held at Wa to mark anniversary

A special vigil was kept at Wa in the Upper West Region as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the New Patriotic Party government in power.

While the youth danced to the music provided at the Acheampong grounds, the Airborne Force detachment in Wa rocketed fire works to the chagrin of the large crowd.Mr Sahanum Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister, Mrs Paulina Ninkpeng, Nadowli District Chief Executive and Mr. Godfred Bayong-Tangu, Wa District Chief Executive, were in attendance.

Other party executives including Alhaji Issahaku, Regional Chairman, graced the occasion.

Church Service in Eastern Regional

The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr. Francis Osafo-Mensah has urged Ghanaians to work hard to support President John Agyekum Kufuor "to perform the economic miracle that everybody is looking up to."

He observed that "though there are miracles, God achieve the miracles through human beings and urged Ghanaians to continue to pray for the President, the government and the country to enjoy continuous peace.

Dr. Osafo-Mensah made the observation at a thanksgiving service at Koforidua on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of the NPP government in the Eastern Region.

The service coincided with the thanksgiving service of the year 2002 national convention of the Southern sector of the Bible and prayer group of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Koforidua.

In a message, Rev. Charles Gyan-Duah, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church assured the President that his government would continue to enjoy the support and co-operation of the Presbyterian Church as long as it promotes freedom and justice, fair play, rule of law and a fight to eradicate poverty in the country.

He called on workers, "Who are expecting the government to perform economic miracle to work hard where ever they find themselves and assured them that God would then bless them with the success that they expect to happen in the country.

"Rev. Gyan-Dua said, 'the day when God feed people with manner from heaven was past and reminded Ghanaians that they have a role to play in the determination of their own destiny.

Using the miracles that Jesus performed at the calling of his disciple, Peter, Rev. Gyan-Dua said though Jesus could perform the miracle without the effort of Peter, He urged him to move his boat back into the water and to cast his net into the deeper waters making Peter to put in some efforts before achieving the feat that he wanted.

He advised members of government to sometimes, hide their pride and listen to suggestions from other people, reminding them that, "Your greatness does not depend on the number of servants that you have but the number of people that you serve."