Gov't would not violate human rights - Kufuor

Tema, Aug 4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday gave the assurance that the government would not violate the human rights of Ghanaians, saying, it would rather preserve the dignity of the individual. "If you give the people everything they need and deny them their dignity and rights you have not done anything," he said. President Kufuor speaking at Tema Community Two on the first leg of this three-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, called on the people to continue to work hard and support the government in its efforts to improve the living standard of Ghanaians. He said the visit, which formed part of a national tour was to share the reality and achievements of the government since it assumed power in 2001 with the people.

"There had been concrete achievements made by the government since it assumed power in 2001 and Ghanaians would enjoy more development and improvement in their living standards. We are not boasting. We have done well within the short period that the government had been in power". "We pride ourselves that within the two-and-a-half years that the government had been in power, Ghana is enjoying the freedom it lost during the 45 years of our post independence especially the past 20 years before the 2000 general elections when freedom lost its meaning in the country," he said.

President Kufuor said Ghanaians are now re-capturing the true meaning of the country's motto of "Freedom and Justice," adding that, the Judiciary was being empowered to work without fear or favour. "We will not rest on our oars now that Ghana has become the beacon of peace around the globe". He said the government would not be distracted from the vision ahead for the people since nobody was above the law. Anyone who makes any allegations should prove it, he added. President Kufuor said Tema was special in the scheme of affairs of the country being the gateway to Ghana and the West African Sub-Region.

He said it was the objective of the government's to re-capture the image of Tema as an industrial city envisaged by the first President, the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah. "I assure you government will continue to work on projects in Tema to regain the glory it was envisaged to have," he added. Shiekh Ibrahim C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said Ghana supports "righteousness and piety and not rancour and bitterness" adding that, the government's focus would not be diverted.
Mr. Samuel Evans Ashong-Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, said development projects being executed in the Municipality would be continued to improve living conditions in the area.