Wa (Upper West) 26 May '99

All is set for Wednesday's bye-election in the Lambussie constituency in the Upper West region.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) are contesting the seat, which became vacant after the death of Mr Luke Koo of the NDC.

The contestants are Mrs. Alice Teni Boon, a 37-year-old teacher, NDC, Mr Thomas Frankline Bie Ketting, a 47-year-old Marketing Manager, PNC and Mr Anthony Baloroo, a farm manager, for NPP Mr J.A. Kuffour, NPP Flag bearer, is in the region with a high-powered NPP team to monitor the election.

Members of his delegation include Mr J.H. Mensah, MP for Sunyani East and minority leader in Parliament, Nana Akufo Addo, MP for Abuakwa Central, Mr Samuel Odoi Sykes, Chairman of the NPP, Mr Dan Botchway, General Secretary of the party and Major Courage Quarshigah, National Organiser of the party.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Djan, Chairman of the Electral Commission, is also in the region to supervise tomorrow's election.

Mr Adam M. Iddrisu, Acting Regional Director of Electoral Commission, told the GNA that election materials for all the 61 polling stations have been dispatched to the constituency.

Meanwhile, NDC has rounded off its electioneering campaign in the constituency, reiterating its commitment to national development.

Vice President John Evans Atta Mills and a host of NDC top men, who addressed a rally at Hamile, a border town in the constituency, on the eve of the bye-elections, urged the people to vote the party's candidate Mrs. Boon as the new MP for Lambussie, in order to sustain development in the area.

The Vice-President asked the people to repose their confidence in the NDC, saying, "you should send a message to the whole country that your constituency is for the NDC, a party whose interest is peace and national development".

Prof. Mills said Mrs. Boon has shown commitment and dedication to the welfare of the community and has vigorously worked towards the upliftment of women and the party.

Until her nomination, Mrs. Boon was the Regional Deputy Women's Organiser and women's leader of the party in the constituency.

"In terms of replacement for our departed MP, Alice already has the key to that position. She is the obvious choice", Prof. Mills declared.

He urged the people to regard whatever the party's opponents say about the candidate, the government and the leadership, as lies which have been concocted to discredit the NDC government's development efforts.

"Our opponent are not truthful enough to tell you about the progress we have made over the years", Prof. Mills said, citing the provision of social amenities and infrastructure in the area.

Prof. Mills also recalled the just-ended Fifth African-African American Summit (AAAS) held in Accra, saying it was part of the government's effort to bring economic development to Ghana.

He thanked the chiefs and people for their support to the party and expressed the hope that this co-operation would continue.

The NDC co-chairman, Alhaji Issifu Ali, said the party is the only one that has the people at heart and would deliver if given the chance.

Mr David Osei-Wusu, the Regional Minister, urged the people not to be deceived by gifts, including food items, which he alleged were being dished out by the opposition for votes.

He expressed the belief that the constituency belongs to the NDC, saying "it is our own family affairs and we don't want strangers to come and meddle in our family matters".

Mr Osei-Wusu, therefore, asked the electorate to turn up in their numbers and vote massively for Mrs. Boon.

Mrs. Comfort Owusu, the Deputy Majority Whip, dismissed the idea that women should not be allowed to assume leadership roles, citing the participation of women MPs in the country's democratic dispensation.

She asked them to unite and vote for development and not for personalities.

Mrs. Owusu said the NDC might not give them money today but would create an enabling environment for them to work and sustain their living.

Mrs. Boon said she was confident of winning the election massively.