NPP will defend rights of all – Kufuor

The Flag bearer of the biggest opposition party in Ghana, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, on Monday assured Ghanaians that under his administration, everybody's rights would be respected and defended irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.

He, therefore, dispelled speculations "by some mischievous people" that an NPP government would repatriate people living in the "Zongos".

Addressing a rally at Adoagyiri, (11 miles from the capital Accra), Kufuor promised that the party would not engage in divisive politics to destroy the fabric of society.

He said the NPP would abide by the ECOWAS charter, which encourages the free movement of goods and people within the sub-region to facilitate socio-economic development.

The rally formed part of a week-long tour of the Eastern Region, which has already taken him to Suhum, Coaltar, Nankese, Akim Sekyere, Anyinam, Kwabeng, Abomosu and Abakoase.

Kufuor asked why the party would choose a home grown "Zongo boy" as his running mate and harass his people when it wins the elections. He said Akyems and Krobos, for instance, have been living together in peace for a long time without problems and advised other ethnic groups to emulate this.

Kufuor accused the government of mismanaging the economy, which has resulted in poverty, unemployment, diseases and hunger. He said an NPP government would reverse the trend as well as prop up the cedi to accelerate economic development.

At Anyinam, he appealed to the electorate to vote for the party to transform the country to meet their aspirations. The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa, Nana Akuffo-Addo, said the country needs a new government, which would make health care accessible to the people, create jobs for the youth and allow people to develop their potentials in a congenial atmosphere.