General News of Friday, 13 October 2000

Source: The Guide

Adu Boahen calls for change

A former Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and an Historian, Professor Albert Adu-Boahen has called on the electorate to vote the NDC government out of power because the party doesn?t have any economic and realistic policies to move the nation forward. ?When I see people supporting NDC, I wonder if they are not suffering poverty, diseased and unemployment, or is it because they don?t have the nation at heart?? he said in disbelief.

Professor Adu-Boahen was addressing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch of the Okaikoi North Constituency which officially launched its 2000 campaign rally for this year?s election.

He wondered how a government which has been in power for the past 20 years and couldn?t salvage the economy from collapse is today seeking the votes of Ghanaians to keep the it in power.

He condemned the purchase of the presidential jet which has further worsened the plight of the ordinary Ghanaians as they are made to pay ?100 million every month.

?He bought the presidential jet so that he can use it to teach his daughter how to pilot a plane,? adding that Rawlings and his wife have turned Ghana into their personal property.? The famous historian contended that Ghanaians are suffering because of mismanagement of the country?s resources which has been in the wrong hands for the past 20 years.

Professor Adu-Boahen consoled the crowd not to lose hope in life but rather vote the NPP into power as it is the only party that has the people at heart and has proven to be able to tackle the countries economic woes.

He called on the government to take steps to ensure that the December 7 elections becomes free and fair. The New Patriotic Party parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East Constituency, Mr. Kofi Wayo, attacked the NDC government for creating poverty and unemployment in the country.

He said every normal human being should have a change in his life and wondered why people are still praising NDC government when all one sees around is poverty and diseases.

The ?Nima Boy? cited instances in his constituency where the people cannot pay their wards school fees, pay medical bills and above all cannot buy common ?wakye?. The cigar-chomping Wayo accused the government of holding unnecessary talkshops and seminars at the expense of solving the economic woes of the nation.

He stated that people have started threatening his life because of his pronouncements on political platform and declared that he is ready to die at anytime for the truth. He further added that he and for that matter the NPP wants freedom, but if people or the ruling government are prepared for war and brings AK47, they are also prepared to come with M16.

The controversial Wayo, famous for this views and flamboyant lifestyle, attacked people who took him to task, when he said he was going to create 750,000 jobs, saying that such people are myopic and don?t have any idea about international economics.

The incumbent member of Parliament for Okaikoi North Constituency, Hon. Darko Mensah asked the people to vote wisely as their vote can change their destiny for good and bad.

He also called on the people to police the polling stations on December 7 to prevent malpractices to ensure free and fair elections. Hon. Darko Mensah asked the people to vote him to power to enable him continue with the good works he has done. Speaker after speaker called for a change of government.