Regional News of Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Source: GNA

Andrew Awuni confirmed as NPP candidate for Bongo seat

Bongo (U/E), Feb. 24, GNA- Mr. Andrew Awuni, a Deputy Minister of Information, was on Monday confirmed to contest Bongo Parliamentary seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the party's constituency election held at Bongo on Monday.

Mr. Awuni was declared unopposed since he was the only candidate who filed his nomination papers mid last year.

In his remarks, the General Secretary of the party, Mr. Dan Botwe, explained the modalities involved in the party's constitution even when there is a sole candidate for a constituency, and said the party requests that the delegates go through the routine formalities to avert any controversies.

He told the delegates that as foot soldiers of the party they represented the Presidential and the Parliamentary candidates at all the polling stations, which they have been assigned to, since the party's candidates could not be present at all the polling stations at the same time.

He said the confirmation of Mr. Awuni marked the beginning of active campaign programme in the constituency and charged the delegates to explain government policies, programmes and achievements to the electorate to enable them to make informed choice.

Mr. Awuni thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and said the battle to wrestle power to represent the people had begun, adding that victory in the forthcoming election is clear and only needed commitment and faithfulness on the part of the delegates who the party relied upon to win the election.

He said within the three years of NPP's rule, the people of Bongo have seen tremendous changes in development projects, which no government in the last 30 years had done.

He told the delegates to cite infrastructure such as the tarring of the Bongo-Bolgatanga road, provision of school blocks and furniture in every part of the district, construction of the main bridges that link villages in the northern part of the district, which had been a source of worry to the people because they could not cross to Bongo anytime it rained.

Mr. Awuni explained that the construction of the bridge was started late 1960's to link villages in the north of the district as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso, because it is the shortest route to that country from the region.

He said it was abandoned by subsequent governments, and said these major developments are dear to the people of Bongo.

He called on the delegates not to rest on their oars, but work hard to return the party to power and vote for him.