Opposition parties in Ghana unite to boot out ruling party

The flagbearer of the opposition Convention People's Party (CPP), Professor George Hagan, said on Tuesday that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came to power by the barrel of the gun but the united opposition parties would use the ballot box to boot it out.

Dr. Hagan, who was speaking at a joint meeting of the opposition parties, in Takoradi, noted that such a change would prove to the world that Ghanaians are mature and are committed to their country.

He explained that the CPP has joined hands with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) because they have the same policies, which seek to ensure the socio-economic and political development of the country.

Prof. Hagan cited education, agriculture, health, cash and carry and national reconciliation as common areas of co-operation between the two parties. He said the joint forces of the opposition parties aimed at dislodging the NDC would be of great significance to the struggle for total liberation to the benefit of the present generation and those yet to be born.

Prof. Hagan said the NDC flagbearer, Professor J. E. Atta Mill's call on CPP members to join the NDC is out of place because the NDC is not of the Nkrumaist tradition, adding: "the NDC is a wolf in a sheep's clothing".

He reminded the people that "the NDC is nearing its grave and it is desperate and would therefore employ all forms of tricks and utilise other avenues to rig the election". Prof. Hagan therefore called on members of the opposition parties to be vigilant at the polling stations on December 28.

The NPP Presidential candidate, Mr. J. A. Kufuor, thanked the people of the Western Region for the confidence reposed in him on December 7. He appealed to members of the United Opposition Parties to deploy dedicated party agents during the presidential run-off.

Kufuor predicted that the NPP, in conjunction with other opposition parties, would sweep 75 per cent of the votes to be cast. The NPP flagbearer, who is leading the United Opposition Parties' campaign team, including Prof. Hagan and representatives of other parties, left Takoradi for Half-Assini, Aiyinase and Axim.