The people of Kumawu and its environs defied a heavy downpour to attend a massive rally of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) held in the town on Sunday April 23. The torrential rainfall which initially disrupted the event was interpreted as a blessing for a town which had not seen any rains for the past three months.

The rally which started at 3.30 p.m. was called off after 45 minutes when the intensity of the rain increased. the crowed however gathered again at about 5.20 p.m. when the rain subsided. Led by brass band music, they went to the residence of Mr. B. A. Mensah, an industrialist where the speakers were hosted, to recall them to the rally grounds.

The guests who had earlier expressed pessimism a the success of the reconvened rally found to their surprise a bigger crowd than the first. So enthusiastic was the crowd that an appeal for funds yielded C2.7 million. Mr B. A. Mensah of International Tobacco Co. fame donated C1 million.

Addressing the rally, Mr J. A. Kuffuor, Chairman of the foreign Affairs Committee of the party appealed to the teeming supporters not to allow themselves to be influenced by ill-gotten monies in next year's election. He also urged them not to be taken in by the effusions of hungry politicians who perform political acrobatics to fill their bellies. He criticised the NDC government for making it a crime to be a successful Ghanaian businessman and attributed the fear and poverty that have gripped the nation to envy, spite and hatred that have characterised the P/NDC rule.

Other speakers at the function included Dr R. Basoah, the Parliamentary candidate for Kumawu and Nana Akufo-Addo, Chairman of the Internal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the party. Nana Akufo- Addo pointed to widespread disquiet and threats of strike from all sections of the society. These, he said, have clearly proved the NDC's inability to manage the country. the lot, he said has fallen on the NPP which represents the hopes and aspirations of the people.