General News of Monday, 21 August 2000

Source: GNA

Kufuor promises Voltarians fair share of national cake

Aflao, Aug 21, GNA- Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, flag- bearer of the New patriotic party (NPP)said on Sunday that his government would give the people of the Volta Region a fair share of the national cake to improve upon their living standards.

Mr Kufour said the people of the region are at the heart of the NPP and shall be given that due respect during an NPP government.

He was addressing party supporters at a rally at Aflao as part of a five-day campaign tour of the Volta region to explain the party's programmes to the people.

Mr Kufuor said for the past two decades under President Rawlings and the NDC, the people of Ghana especially the volta region have witnessed the highest level of poverty, under development and neglect never known "in our land".

"Even though the NDC calls the region its world bank it has insulted their intelligence by neglecting them all this while", he noted. "Volta region has worst roads, poorest educational infrastructure and high unemployment rate, he added.

Mr Kufuor said the only way ghanaians can stop the economic decay is to vote NPP into power for a positive change to put the country back on track.

He said his party has men of proven ability to turn the fortunes of the country around for better living standard for the people.

Mr Kufuor said industry and agriculture which is the cornerstone of all economies will be given top priority to create raw materials for industry and to increase employment opportunities and incomes for the people.

Mr Kufuor said the government's failure to harness the ministry of finance and bank of Ghana for effective fiscal and monetary controls continues to worsen the economic situation as inflation rises, the cedi depreciates making the purchasing power of both the people and the state weak.

He said government's over borrowing from the banks has depleted the banks to the extent that industrialists, farmers and the service sector have nothing left to borrow for their businesses.

Mr Kufuor said an NPP government will build a modern market, complete the border complex and the West African dual carriage highway to befit Aflao's strategic position as the country's eastern gateway.

Other speakers and members of NPP delegation included Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, MP for New Juaben, Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, MP Oda, Mr Owusu Agyepong, MP for Akim Swedru, Madam Obaayaa Afrifa, national women organiser, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, national campaign manager.

The delegation had earlier held rallies at Sogakope, Adidome, Anloga, Keta, Klikor, Agbozume and Denu.