Tsikata should be honoured, not imprisoned - Prof. Atta Mills

Elubo (W/R), June 26, -GNA-Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday expressed misgivings about the imprisonment of Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, the former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for causing financial loss to the state.

He was speaking at separate rallies in 15 communities as part of the third phase of his campaign tour of the Western Region. The communities included Half Assini, Tikobo Number One, Benyin, Nkroful, Asasetre, Ayinase, Apataim, Essiama, Nsein, Axim, Agona Nkwanta, Lower Dixcove, Upper Dixcove and Busua.

Prof. Atta Mills said Mr Tsikata and his colleagues at the GNPC sacrificed so much to lay the foundation for the country's oil and gas exploration and he should have been honoured for his services to the country.

He said many people are been presented with national awards for contributing nothing towards the country's development but Mr Tsikata, who deserved an award has been imprisoned.

Prof. Atta Mills said an NDC government under his leadership would put funds accruing from the country's oil and gas industry to good use instead of using it to enrich relations and members of government. He said, "The NDC would properly manage money from oil to create jobs and wealth instead of enriching wives and relations".

He said he would also set up a plant to manufacture fertilizer in the Western Region using oil and gas that have been found there, upgrade and modernize the Kikam Technical Institute and resuscitate the Essiama Oil Mills.

Prof. Atta Mills said the country has not fittingly honoured its first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah despite the sacrifices he made to gain independence for the country.

He said Dr Nkrumah should be accorded a 100 years anniversary next year and if the NDC is in power at that time, the day would be set aside as a public holiday for all to reflect on the good works of the late President.

Prof. Atta Mills used the occasion to appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to live up to the task and organise a free, fair and credible elections in December this year because the country's democratic dispensation is at stake and the whole world is watching the direction the country would go after the elections.

He also urged the political parties to conduct campaigns devoid of insults and acrimony so that the country would stay united after the elections.

Prof. Atta Mills said the NDC would continue his clean campaign because it believes in democracy and good governance.

Mr. Sekou Nkrumah, son of Dr Nkrumah, said his father worked mainly to improve conditions in Africa and Ghana and although he had his mistakes he served the interest of Ghana and Africa.

He urged people in the Nzema area to throw their full weight behind Prof. Atta-Mills and the NDC to win the December elections to spearhead the development of their area and the country.

Mr Nkrumah said, "The spirits of Dr. Nkrumah and the common people are with the NDC which is interested in improving lives of the common man," adding that the time has come to elect a humble President like Prof. Atta Mills who would not arrogantly display wealth".