I will re-open investigations into death of Ya-Na - Mills

Accra, March 2, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flag Bearer on Tuesday said he would set up a new and truly non-partisan and independent Presidential Commission to re-open investigations into the death of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon.

He described as unacceptable that in the 21st century an act of "daylight murder" could be characterized as "war" in a country that was not at war.

Professor Mills said this at a press conference dubbed: "The State of the Nation: The Way Forward," which sought to give the NDC's view of the state of the economy and the way forward as the NDC would do when voted into power.

He promised to continue to support the ongoing peace efforts in the Dagbon Traditional Area when voted into office in December 2004, stressing, "justice cannot be sacrificed on the altar of peace". The Ya-Na and 29 others were killed in a fratricidal conflict in March 2002 and two people who arrested and prosecuted were found not culpable.

He said the objective of national security was national peace, "but an effective national security system depends on an effective justice system. Without justice, there is no peace. So the linkage between national security, peace and justice is clear."

Prof Mills noted that in a society where there was a perception of injustice, there was no peace and national security was put in jeopardy. On attaining macro economic objectives and policies, Prof Mills said they must be consistent with social priorities and the welfare of the people.

He said for the statistics to be good, they must reflect that the people were happy.

"The NDC's social democratic agenda imposes on us the responsibility to create the environment that will enable the people to be provided with basic necessities of life at costs reasonable; guaranteed health, education and employment.

"Ours is a participatory democracy and not a propertied democracy," he said.

He pledged to create an environment that would make the Private Sector to break new barriers for the nation's development

"No company, business or entrepreneur will be deliberately targeted for destruction for political reasons."

Prof Mills also said when voted into office, he would seek to unite the country and eschew the politics of exclusion and nepotism, "especially the appointment of too many close relatives into key positions of influence."

He called for the restoration of credibility to the Presidency and Government, saying that stated cases of corruption in the heart of the NPP Government should be addressed quickly and adequately.

Prof Mills said the character of the man at the top transferred to the team he led, and expressed the hope that it was only the NDC that could work to remove barriers to opportunity and ensure a caring society in which there was full partnership and economic progress.

Prof Mills said his government would aim at providing affordable housing for low and lower middle-income earners in the urban and rural areas.

"These will be one of my topmost priorities," he said, adding: "My housing policy will include the direct involvement of the government and district assemblies in the provision of affordable housing whilst providing the opportunity and environment for individuals to own their own homes."

He also promised to review the long-overdue Rent Act even though landlords and landladies had flouted it with impunity.