Accra, Dec. 24, GNA - The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on Saturday urged President John Agyekum Kufuor to work hard to reduce the hardships in the year 2007 in order to give Ghanaians a renewed hope for a better future.

A statement signed by Mr. Bede A. Ziedeng, Interim Deputy General Secretary of the Party, to express the season's greetings to Ghanaians, said the DFP acknowledged that the year 2006 had been one of the most challenging in the political history of the country.

"There is no doubt that life for the average Ghanaian in 2006 had been difficult, considering the harsh economic conditions, and Ghanaians

are justifiably not happy with their living conditions." It said Ghanaians were able to overcome the high fuel prices, resulting from world crude price hikes, which threatened to rock the country without any social or political upheaval.

The statement equally appealed to the all peace-loving Ghanaians to always use laid down procedures and the legitimate means provided under the laws of the country to articulate grievances. It said government must also be prepared to accommodate all shades of opinion and show good faith in its dealings with the people. "This is because the DFP believes that peaceful resolution to all problems, is the way forward for the speedy development of this country."

The statement expressed the DFP's best wishes and felicitations to all Ghanaians during this year's celebrations of Christmas and the New Year and congratulated all workers who had worked very hard to move the economy forward.