Govt would lay foundation for development-Kufuor

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has said it was his Government's avowed aim to use its first term of office to lay a firm foundation for the country's socio-economic development.

He has, therefore, called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to sacrifice in support of the Government's determination to restore to Ghana its enviable position as an economically strong and respected country.

A statement issued in Accra by the Media Relations Directorate of the Party on Wednesday said President Kufuor was speaking at a fund raising dinner dance, the first in the series of such activities nationwide to be organised by the NPP at the Banquet Hall in Accra. He said the provision of the needed infrastructure and social services for socio-economic development to take off had been made but more work needed to be done, therefore, it was incumbent on Party members to make the necessary sacrifices for the NPP to win the 2004 Elections to continue its development programmes.

President Kufuor said the fund raising activity was necessary and urged NPP members to show their love to the Party by donating generously adding: "We need about 50 more pick-up vehicles to take our message to all parts of the country and the money to purchase them should come from us".

He said financial and other contributions made by members should not be seen as gifts to him or to any individual but that they were to facilitate the Party's activities at winning the 2004 Elections not only to guarantee the country's continued development but also to ensure the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law.

"The last two-and-a-half years of NPP rule has seen Ghana recover from the rot that the nearly 20 years of PNDC/NDC misrule plunged the country into and it is imperative that the party is given the necessary financial push to bring the transformation to its logical conclusion", he said.

President Kufuor called on the members to feel proud to belong to a political party that had managed to stop many years of stagnation, insecurity and abuse of human rights in the country.

He denied accusations by political opponents that the Government was being vindictive, and said the vicissitudes, which some Ghanaians went through under the PNDC/NDC administration entitled them to seek redress in a manner devoid of bitterness or vengeance, adding, "we are not forgetting but we are forgiving".

Mr Daniel Botwe, General Secretary, said the Party was poised to win the 2004 Elections massively and needed funds to beef up its logistics as well as intensify its electioneering campaign.

He explained that a series of fund raising activities had been planned to enable the Party to mobilise its own funds for the electioneering campaign "to avoid a possible accusation of exploiting its incumbency to win the 2004 Elections "because this was what the NDC (National Democratic Congress) did when it was in power".

Mr Botwe said more funds were needed to ensure that the polling agents and assistants, who would invigilate for the Party at the polling stations during the elections were well catered for to keep vigilance to check any election malpractice.

"The vigilance exercised by these Party polling agents contributed in no small way in ensuring the NPP's victory in the 2000 Elections," he said.

The General Secretary said the task ahead of the Party, was not only to remain in power but also increase its Parliamentary majority, therefore, efforts should be made to ensure these agents sustain their interests and offer their best during on the polling day.

Mr Botwe called on the members, activists and supporters of the Party to mobilise more people to register during the forthcoming voters registration exercise.

He said much vigilance was required to ensure that only eligible voters registered in every ward, area, town, district, constituency and region and also the Party's duty to ensure the voters' register was crystal clear.

Mr Harona Esseku, National Chairman of the Party said the NPP was determined to win 140 out of the 200 Parliamentary seats and more than 75 per cent of the Presidential votes next year adding, " this is no pipe dream".

Mr Esseku, therefore, called on the members to gird their loins to victory that would give the Government another opportunity to continue its good works.

He said "our detractors can continue to rant and rave. Continue to propagate lies and distortions. The inescapable fact is that the bell is tolling for them. The 2004 Elections shall be the day of their final demise.

"We can only deal the necessary and inevitable death-blow when we have the resources, and use these resources effectively. I urge you all to continue to give us the need material and spiritual support to mount the assault that will bring victory in 2004", he said.