Sunyani, Aug. 12, GNA - Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party on Friday affirmed that the Party was committed to implement policies to enhance the general well being of Ghanaians. He explained that initiatives and programmes instituted by the government were in line with the ideals of the Danquah-Busia tradition to use the power of governance to alleviate poverty.

Mr Mac Manu was addressing a meeting of the Brong Ahafo Regional Executive Committee of the NPP. It was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, District and Municipal Chief Executives, and Constituency executive.

Also present were Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Regional Minister, his deputy Mr Kwadwo Kwakye, Mr Michael Kwadwo Adusah, Brong Ahafo Member of the Council of State and Mr Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, Deputy Minister of Sports and MP for Nkoranza South.

Mr Mac Manu exhorted members of the party to denounce taunts that they as well as the nation had not benefited under NPP rule, saying the government was committed to creating opportunities for private entrepreneurship to thrive so the larger proportion of the population would reap the benefits.

He urged the executive and other members of the party not to be distracted by pronouncements by detractors, but they should focus on the Party's aim to accelerate Ghana's progress.

"The Party is not in governance to be doling out monies to people who would not want to engage in productive work, he said, adding that the international recognition for the country's good governance under the Kufuor government alone "is enough testimony that we are on track".

Mr Mac Manu mentioned the National Health Insurance Scheme, the capitation grants, school feeding programme and the Presidential Initiatives, as prudent policies put in place by the government to enhance the welfare of the people.

Mr Mac Manu touched on recent fuel price increases and explained that the phenomenon was a sine qua non in good governance and in trend with world economic affairs, saying past governments, including the Nkrumah regime, found it expedient to make necessary increases for the nation's progress.

He urged members of the NPP to stand firm and debunk lies and unnecessary criticisms, by the opposition and continue to focus on the NPP's development agenda for the nation. The NPP national chairman advised party members in the region to redouble efforts in explaining government policies and programmes to the people so they could play effective and efficient roles in the country's developmental process.

"You must be proud of the government's achievements so far and work effectively to raise the party to a higher level", he said, adding that Brong Ahafo was a 'no-go' area for other parties and that the NPP would "put all of them to sleep" in the 2008 elections. Mr Baffour-Awuah stated that the NPP had a lot of goodwill in the region, which he realised during his recent familiarisation tour on assumption in office as regional minister. He however advised members not to be complacent but to work harder to enable the party to sweep the polls in the region in the 2008 elections.

The Regional Minister expressed the hope that the meeting would come out with cogent strategies towards the realisation of the overwhelming performance of the government and a resounding victory in the elections. 12 Aug. 06