Kumasi, Oct. 25, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP), has accused its rival political parties contesting the polls of whipping up tribal sentiments in their campaigns. Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, CPP presidential candidate for Election 2008, who made the allegation, said this was to enable the parties to have an edge over the CPP in the December 7 polls.

The presidential candidate, who was addressing a CPP rally at Asawase in Kumasi on Saturday, said some political parties had urged Ghanaians to vote for them because they come from certain ethnic or tribal group". Dr. Nduom stressed that the elections was not about whether a candidate was a Fanti, Ashanti, Ewe, Ga or any other ethnic group. He said that nobody could take the people for a ride and that unlike in the past Ghanaians were now ready to face facts and not propaganda and lies.

Dr. Nduom said that the electorate had resolved to vote for any of the contesting parties based on issues and track record. He said political parties preaching tribalism did not have campaign message and urged Ghanaians to reject such political parties. "Ghanaians should consider the history and achievements of the political parties and choose the one that have the capability, capacity and competence to lead the nation to prosperity", Dr. Nduom said. He appealed to the electorate to vote massively for the CPP since it was capable of improving their living conditions.

Dr. Nduom said the CPP had a track record and vision and ready to salvage the nation from poverty, lawlessness, unemployment, diseases and hopelessness.

He said the CPP if given the mandate to rule Ghana would create job opportunities by expanding vocational and technical education to equip the youth with employable skills and build more industries in the various regions in the country.

Dr. Nduom also promised to make basic education free to address the high illiteracy rate to enable Ghanaians to contribute effectively to national development.

Mr Samuel Kwabena Danso, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, said it was wrong for any political party to assume that the region was its stronghold.

He said Election 2008 would suggest otherwise as Ghanaians had gone through a lot of difficulties and hardships sine the overthrow of the CPP in 1966.