Politics of Monday, 19 November 2007

Source: GNA

GDRP leader throws weight behind Independent presidential aspirant

Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - Dr. Kofi Amoah, leader of Ghana Democratic Republican Party (GDRP) on Monday pledged his support for an independent presidential aspirant, Mr. Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah's bid to contest for Election 2008.

"I have worked with the aspirant across the economic, social and industrial field, we have established companies including the Western Union, and I believe in Mr Amoafo-Yeboah's capabilities and capacity to lead the nation," Dr Amoah stated in Accra during the official announcement of the aspirants intention to the media.

Dr. Amoah, who is the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nation football fiesta accompanied by some few young men and the aspirant dressed in light green T'shirt converged at the Accra International Press Centre for the announcement.

Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah said he was out to reduce the political vindictiveness, eliminate social and political tension, and govern the nation under a unified non-partisan development oriented government. "Former President Jerry John Rawlings did his best by bringing us out of the doldrums, President John Agyekum Kufuor have continued by creating an enabling environment, we need an all inclusive leadership after 2008 to bring growth and development," he said. He said the development and implementation of private sector-friendly policies to ensure acceleration in the growth of the economy would be his priority.

He noted the need to assimilate women into the formal sector of economic activities, institute affirmative action to ensure that women have equal access to banking, technology and markets; and micro-credit schemes.

The Independent Presidential aspirant said the size of government today was too large for a developing country; "I believe we can reduce its size dramatically, increase productivity and get more value for money.

"Under my leadership, I will do just that... by reducing the size of government, we will save money, but we will also retrench some workers. So we shall take part of the saving we get and use it to retrain, retrenched workers, who can then be assimilated into the private sector."

Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah urged the media to support his campaign to change the nation and bring the needed accelerated growth.