Regional News of Thursday, 11 November 2004

Source: GNA

Government would protect the security of the state - VEEP

Fian (UW/R), Nov. 11, GNA - Vice- President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Wednesday rounded off his five-day tour of the Upper West Region, with an assurance to the electorate that the Government would not allow few individuals to destabilise the peace and unity of the country.

He said the development of every country depended on peace, unity and stability and Government was committed to ensure that.

Vice- President Alhaji Mahama was addressing the chiefs and people of Jang, Naro, Fian and Bussie in the Nadowli District, Han in the Jirapa/Lambussie District, Jeffesi and Pulima in the Sissala West District and Tumu in the Sissala East District, during the last day of his visit.

The Vice- President visited all the 10 constituencies in the Region, where he addressed the durbar of chiefs, and inspected and commissioned development projects and initiated new projects. He said the Nadowli District was among the 40 districts, selected nation-wide to benefit from the supply of free school uniforms and a scholarship package.

Alhaji Mahama expressed concern about what he described as the campaign of lies against the Government.

"Lies and violence do not promote development and that is why I want all of you to rally behind President John Agyekum Kufuor in the forthcoming elections to achieve more development."

He appealed to the Police to arrest people defacing the paraphernalia of the political parties.

He stressed: "Such a conduct is not only criminal but also irresponsible and shows the lack of maturity in our political divide which must be stopped for the sake of peace and love."

Vice-President Mahama said the Ghana Cotton Company, had secured a 15 billion cedi loan to revamp its operations. The Vice- President had since left for the Upper East Region.