Aliu tells NPP supporters not to be complacent

Accra, May 22, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Friday, advised members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) not be content with modest achievements of the Government but deepen their commitment to work towards victory in the December general elections.

The Vice President was speaking at an awards ceremony at which the Brong Ahafo Patriotic Caucus (BAPAC), an association of NPP supporters resident in Accra and Tema, honoured First Lady Theresa Kufuor and 10 other citizens of the Brong Ahafo region for achieving a lot in their fields; their support towards the progress of the region and for bringing dignity to it.

Vice President Mahama said in spite of the country's scarce resources the Government had done a great deal to provide infrastructure, schools, clinics, income generating activities and other social amenities to improve the quality of life of Ghanaians. "Our democracy is deepening as Government is listening more and more to the people," he said. "The national economy is being revitalised as inflation and interest rates are falling down and the cedi stabilised."

However, he added, much work needed to be done for the Government to ultimately achieve its vision to drastically reduce poverty and create jobs by implementing its strategies put in place. "Indeed some of the old men and women we met during the campaign are still waiting for us to improve their lot," he reminded them. "Some of the youth, including some of you who worked tirelessly to bring our party into power, are jobless and are yearning to be gainfully employed."

The Vice President said the wheel of progress, which was evident by the existence of freer society and a more transparent Government, could not continue unless the NPP was voted back into power. He said those who work for the party's success and the development of society as a whole, deserved to be recognised and honoured. He, therefore, commended BAPAC for its initiative and congratulated those honoured, saying other regions should emulate them.

"I commend Her Excellency Madam Theresa Kufuor and all the distinguished citizens of Brong Ahafo who have been honoured tonight for overcoming obstacles, achieving unusual goals, exhibiting excellence, having pure motives and above all serving humanity."

The Senior Minister, Mr J.H. Mensah, the Most Reverend Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Professor Geoge Benneh, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Alhaji Asuma Abu Banda, a business tycoon and Madam Ama Busia, a Member of the Council of State were among those honoured.

The rest are Nana Owusu Nsiah, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ernest Owusu Poku, Former IGP, Mr Kwasi Owusu, a footballer and a former captain of the Black Stars, Mr Maxwell Oti Yeboah and Mr Ernest Kwame Apraku, both businessmen.

Madam Theresa Kufuor thanked the benefactors and said it was encouraging, that their little efforts had been acknowledged. She expressed the hope that the December elections would be peaceful, transparent, free, and fair. Nana Prah Agyensen, Member of the Council of State, who chaired the function, described the First Lady as an "epitome of motherhood, a woman of substance and a humble disciplined lady who is working assiduously on the quiet to better the lives of women and children".