Tumu (UWR), June 7, GNA- Ghana cannot afford to remain half poor and half rich in the midst of plenty because the resources could not be applied to the benefit of all, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, running mate to Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said on Friday at Tumu. He said the slogan, "One People One Nation" would remain a mirage if the gap between the southern and northern parts of the country continued to grow wider.

Mr. Mahama said if steps were not taken to bridge the gap, the country could not achieve the Millennium Development Goals. He was addressing the chiefs and people of Tumu in the Upper West Region after touring the Northern and Upper East regions as part of the party's electioneering campaign for the 2008 Elections. Mr. Mahama said the NDC would bridge the southen-northern poverty gab through accelerated and comprehensive education plan, revitalisation of agriculture and investment in the health of the people. He said; "The area, though a deprived one was endowed with vast and fertile land, hardworking people and with a planned investment in irrigation the supply of fertilizers accompanied with good health, the people would laugh poverty to scorn."

Mr. Mahama said, "the migration of the youth to the south to pound fufu and carry load would seize and if the area was developed those who left would come back home and those at home would stay, "to give meaning to the slogan "one people one nation." He said the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Development Studies has collapsed following the appalling situation at the Tamale Government Teaching Hospital.

Mr. Mahama said the NDC would not derogate the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for not doing anything when they were in office. He said, "We will not be like them to say that the NPP did nothing whilst it was in power but the people would have to refer to NPP's slogan in 2000 that urged them to look at their condition of life and vote accordingly."

Mr. Mahama said Ghanaians who cannot be taken for a ride and noted for their intelligence would be able to separate the seeds from the chaff and consider their lifestyles before voting." He asked the people to vote for their NDC parliamentary candidate for Tumu area, Hajia Rafatu Dubie in December. 077 June 08