Govt would not subvert next year elections - JAK

Cape Coast, Dec.20, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday assured Ghanaians that government would not subvert the electoral systems for the 2004 general elections, rather the fight would focus on goodwill.

"We pledge to see Ghana a more united and a harmonious society in which value for fellow feeling reigns supreme and do not see each other as an enemy but play the necessary roles to give the people a choice next year", he said.

President Kufuor gave the assurance when addressing the three-day Annual Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

He therefore, called on all political parties to conduct the campaign in good faith, debate in decorum, operate within the rule of law and patience and that there should be mutuality of respect among the parties in finding solutions to the problems facing the country.

The President, appealed to them to refrain from threats, incitement of security agencies and misinformation of the international community against the government that will cause ill will.

He said when there is goodwill, it will not undermine the good tenets of multi-party democracy, which the constitution guarantees.

On fraternal messages from the other political parties, President Kufuor, described them as "beautiful", and invited the leadership of the various political parties to fight the next elections on the ground rules of goodwill.

"When we achieve this, we will contribute to normalizing lives in the communities and thereby provide an enabling environment that would attract investments and promote growth".

He said when the NPP was in opposition it had a dream and tried to win the people's mandate for the good of society, and that when it assumed power it had converted its manifesto from a dream into reality, and now had the courage of conviction to make it functional by using practical methods.

He said that the government, was not talking in vain and that the evidence of its good work, could be seen in all parts of the country. On the assertion that people are not feeling the improvement in the economy on their daily lives, President Kufuor said "they need to be informed, others are propaganda. There is no where in the world real money comes to people's pockets just like that".

He enumerated four instances where wealth could be acquired, through inheritance, gifts, investments and employment and others through doubtful means.

President Kufuor said the government's policy of Zero Tolerance on corruption is still being pursued and that it would not cover corrupt practices anywhere and whoever is involved.

"It is not easy to fight corruption, which is brought about by selfishness and greed, but we are trying very hard to resist temptation. Holding political office is difficult and tempting," he said. The President said it is in this regard that the office of accountability was established at the Presidency.

On accusations that the government was being selective in applying the rule of law to political opponents, he said, " sending people to court is not the decision of government, but a technical issue on crimes defined by the law and dealt with by the attorney-general's department.

" The government is, therefore, applying all the different levels of punishment on its officials to resist the temptation of being corrupt."

To members and supporters of the NPP, President Kufuor said the party was favoured by Ghanaians after "being lost in the wilderness for over 30 years".

"At long last Ghanaians voluntarily gave us the chance, we should not suffer forgetfulness. We should be thankful to God and Ghanaians for giving us this chance."

He said party members should be mindful of their behaviour and be truthful to the people who, he said, still have the power in their hands.

"The NPP has a duty to perform and officials of the party owe it a duty to the people to be returned to power in 2004", he declared. President Kufuor, pointed out to the party's members of parliament that they were privileged to have been elected by the people , and must therefore, continue to show respect, be sensitive and responsive to them and visit them regularly, since the average Ghanaian wants to be told the truth at all times.

He said they should in particular, acknowledge and be humble to chiefs, as traditional heads in their constituencies.

President Kufuor said District Chief Executives (DCEs) felt that they were powerful in the political chain. However, they are rather the weakest, he said.

He said they could be easily removed by the President or when majority of the assembly members lose confidence in them and that when this happens, the government will not support them.

President Kufuor asked the DCEs not to use resources of the assemblies for their own benefits or as a means to ditch parliamentarians in their areas, in order to compete with them for their seats in the next elections.

"Any DCE who takes party functionaries for a ride would be dealt with," he warned.