Military is ready to protect the Constitution

Kumasi, March.15, GNA- Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, has assured Ghanaians of the Military's readiness to defend and protect the country's constitution.

He said the nation had come far and there was no way any adventurer or group of people could have their way to overturn its present constitutional democracy.

Dr Addo-Kufuor was addressing a well-attended political rally organised by the Subin Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Jackson park in Kumasi on Sunday.

The Minister noted that Ghana had become a show-piece in the African Continent and everything necessary should be done to maintain the peace and ensure the growth of democracy.

He therefore asked all Ghanaians to remain alert and play their roles responsibly to help consolidate the gains made over a decade of constitutional governance.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, announced that the government has since 2001 paid a total of 852 billion cedis to cocoa farmers as bonus.

He said the government would continue to pay attractive producer prices to farmers and introduce interventions that would make farming rewarding.

The Minister spoke of plans to promote millet production in the country to provide the raw material base to feed the breweries. Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Highways, said the government has demonstrated that it does not discriminate when it comes to the distribution of development projects.

He said they believed in social justice and would therefore ensure fairness to all irrespective of political affiliation.

The Minister said the country would soon take delivery of 250 buses from China to augment the fleet of the metro mass transit. Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, the Ashanti Regional Minister, told the party supporters to register in their numbers to give the NPP a resounding victory in the coming December general polls.

Other speakers at the rally included Mr Allan Kyeremateng, Minister of Trade, Industry and Presidential Special Initiative (PSI), Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Dr Osei Akoto, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Ernest Debrah, Northern Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways and Mr Stephen Ntim, First Vice Chairman of the NPP.