Kumasi, Aug. 17, GNA - The planned demonstration by the Ashanti Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC), to protest against the harsh economic policies of the government, has now been scheduled for September 2, in Kumasi.

Dr Nii Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the NDC, who announced this said the demonstration, which would be a peaceful one and intended to draw attention to the chaotic state of the economy, will involve, not only party members in the region, but also members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

Dr Aryeh announced this when he re-launched the new NDC membership card at a programme organised by the Kumasi Metropolitan Co-ordinating Committee of the NDC, in Kumasi on Saturday.

On the issue of permit, the General Secretary stated categorically, "we need no permit from any quarter before embarking on such a demonstration".

Dr Aryeh, described recent speculations of a coup plot in the country as "untrue, and only a ploy by government to divert attention from the current economic hardships facing Ghanaians".

He further explained that it was a vain attempt by the government to also link the NDC to the alleged coup plot, just to tarnish the party's reputation locally and internationally.

Dr Aryeh advised Ghanaians to ignore all the negative propaganda against the NDC and rather rally solidly behind the party to enable them to wrest power from the NPP in the 2004 elections.

Mr Emmanuel Nti Fordjour, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, dismissed reports in a section of the media that the party had failed to seek parliamentary candidates for certain constituencies in the metropolis.

"I can assure you that all the six constituencies, comprising the Kumasi Metropolis, have had one or more candidates, who have filed their nominations to contest the parliamentary seats as at now", he stressed. Mr Alex Sawyer Attivor, Chairman of the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Committee of the NDC, appealed to all NDC members to patronise the new membership cards since it is only when they register as party members and are in possession of the card that they could be recognised as genuine members of the party.