NPP ready to debate NDC - Mac Manu

Accra, June 25, GNA - Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Monday said his party was ready to debate the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on all national issues.

"The NPP is ready for a sound national debate on any social, economic and civil issue with the NDC devoid of sticks and guns," he said.

Mr Mac Manu was speaking at a press conference in Accra in reaction to a number of allegations levelled against the party by the NDC. He said the NDC had no plans for the country and what was left for it was to peddle lies against the NPP. "The time has come to set the record straight," he said.

Mr Mac Manu said the allegations by the NDC that the NPP was using the community police under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) as party police to rig the 2008 elections was "baseless, malicious and despicable lie".

He said the community policing under the NYEP had parliamentary approval and that the allegation that the NPP had acquired a stockpile of ammunitions for the "party police" for the 2008 elections was untrue. Mr Mac Manu said the NPP was committed to democratic principles and norms and would not engage in illegal activities that would compromise the security of the nation.

Mr Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the NPP, said the allegation that the party was imposing parliamentary candidates on constituencies was false.

"Our party's constitution has clear guidelines and procedures regarding the selection of candidates based on democratic principles." Mr Ntow said the selection of parliamentary candidates for non-NPP seats in other constituencies had begun and was expected to end by September for the opening of the Presidential nominations for candidates.

He said the NPP had not officially declared the amount to be paid by candidates wishing to contest the primaries for the party's ticket adding the decision lay with the National Executives Committee. Mr Ntow said the time for political intimidations were over and that the NPP would not resort to violence.

Mr Lord Commey, National Youth Organiser, said the NPP would not shrug off attempts by candidates to step down for another in the interest of the party if they came to a consensus by themselves. "When this fails, we will resort to the selection process as enshrined in our party's constitution."

Mr Commey said the party had history to guide it as disunity in the past had led to the loss of 11 key seats in the Greater Accra Region and it was proper for candidates to realize that in the interest of the party.