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General News of Thursday, 31 August 2000

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Economic problems not due to mismanagement - Ato Dadzie

Cape Coast, Aug. 31, GNA - The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Nana Ato Dadzie, has said the problems facing the economy are due to poor world market prices for the nation's primary products and not the result of mismanagement by the government as is being claimed by its opponents.

Nana Ato Dadzie said the problem is a global one, adding that, in some cocoa producing countries, the salaries of workers have not been paid for months.

He said as a result of efficient management, "we in Ghana receive our pay every month and are even asking for more. Rather, the government should be commended for braving the storm".

Nana Ato Dadzie was speaking at a dinner organised by the Cape Coast constituency branch of the NDC at Cape Coast at the weekend.

He said international financial institutions and donor agencies are making efforts to help the government to put the economy back on track because they have realised that whatever assistance they give would be efficiently managed.

He advised the electorate not to heed politicians who say they have magic wands to change the nation's fortune within a short time.

The Central Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Kofi Mintah, advised supporters to embark on house-to-house campaign to educate the people on the present economic situation, government policies and programmes.

Mr Ebo Barton Oduro, NDC parliamentary candidate, deplored what he called "politics of mudslinging and insults" and said a lot of prominent people shun politics because they do not want their names to be soiled.

"The nation will lose contributions of some of its prominent citizens in national development if we continue to regard our political opponents as enemies who must be destroyed at all costs."

Mr Oduro advised members and supporters of the NDC to refrain from such behaviour. Mr Samuel Graham Wilberforce, Cape Coast Constituency Chairman of the party, commended Mr Oduro for his effort to improve conditions of the people of the area and urged them to vote for him.