Accra, Nov. 3, GNA - The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday challenged the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to render account of its stewardship over the past eight years to Ghanaians on the five priority areas it set in January 2001. During an interaction with newsmen in Accra, Mr Danny Annang, NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, urged President John Agyekum Kufuor to report on his pledge for hard work and sacrifice in order to cut down waste and corruption.

President Kufuor during his inaugural speech on Sunday, January 7, 2001 shortly after he was sworn in as Ghana's20 fifth President declared: "There will be, under this administration, zero tolerance of corruption.I will personally set the example.

"We shall also cut our coat according to the size of our cloth and utilise whatever help we get in the most appropriate manner." He also condemned the murder of women that had plagued the nation at the time and promised to do his best to ensure that the police gave the highest priority to solving it and bringing the perpetrators to book.

Mr Annang said the President and the NPP government had failed to deliver on their own promises eight years down the line and must be held accountable "for deceiving the public".

The NDC Regional Chairman noted that most of the targets set out by the ruling NPP had collapsed. These include the zero tolerance for corruption crusade, the President's Special Initiatives (PSI) and fight against drug menace.

He said in spite of the ruling NPP's acclaimed commitment to rule of law, and abhorrence to coup regime, the first foreign trip of the President on January 13, 2001 shortly after assuming the leadership of the country was to join forces with then Togolese President, Gnassingbe Eyadema, to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the coup that brought the Togolese leader to power.

Mr Annang said that was a double standard, as whereas they abhorred the celebration of the 31st December Revolution in Ghana, they joined forces with a known African dictator to celebrate his coup d'etat. The NDC Regional Chairman urged the media to join the crusade to ensure that the NPP rendered account to Ghanaians. "We need to know all about their stewardship over the last eight years as they move around the country making huge promises for vote."

He also challenged the NPP presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to render account of his seven year stewardship as Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Foreign Affairs. He said: "Ghanaians also need to know why he was removed as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, how many cases he prosecuted, the number of cases he won and lost and the personalities involved." Mr Annang said Nana Akufo-Addo should explain the death of the 44 Ghanaians murdered in the Gambia, "what he did as the Foreign Minister to seek justice for the relatives of the victims". The NDC Regional Chairman called on Ghanaians to reject the NPP for failed promises saying, "NPP does not deserve a third term in governance and must be shown the exit on December 7 for the NDC to take over the regime of governance once again." 3 Nov. 08