Kumasi, May 26, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend described as temporary setback, the hardship Ghanaians are exposed to as a result of the unprecedented rise in oil and food prices on the international market.

He said although government had recently announced measures to reduce the impact, it was important to sustain the real gains of economic growth and political stability chalked by the ruling New Patriotic Party NPP).

Vice President Alhaji Mahama expressed these views when he joined the Bissa community in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region for the 30th anniversary of the enskinment of the local chief Alhaji Osman Tanko. It was on the theme: "Moulding a disciplined Bissa Community for a better tomorrow.

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday announced Government's decision to reduce Excise Duty and Recovery Levy on gas oil, kerosene and marine gas oil as part of a package to bring relief to Ghanaians in the midst of the global challenges, resulting from crude oil and food price increases.

Additionally, debt recovery levy and excise duty on premix fuel as well as import duties on staples including rice, wheat, yellow corn and vegetable oil are to be removed.

Vice President Mahama observed: "We can continue the good legacy of the government by voting for the man selected by the hand of God to lead the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo," Vice President Mahama noted. Vice President Alhaji Mahama said: "Great leaders are ordained by God. He gives the wisdom, courage, vision, patience, honesty, tolerance and resourcefulness necessary to provide people with a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous environment."

He spoke against the numerous chieftaincy, ethnic and factional conflicts in the country, explaining that peace is a vital ingredient for human development.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama asked the Bissa community who are largely Muslims to offer their children both Islamic and secular education to ensure a good blend of strong moral foundation and general knowledge that would help the people to make informed decisions. He called on the citizenry to ensure a peaceful General Election in December, this year.

"We must also advice our youth not to be misled into violence by self-seeking politicians. Rather, they should ask all politicians what policies can help them to gain health, education and jobs."

Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Regional Minister, praised the Bissa chief for facilitating peace, security and development, and called for better integration and cohesion among Ghanaians to ensure national progress. Nana Akuffo-Addo appealed to the Zongo community to take advantage of government's School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant by sending their children to school.

He said secular education was the sure way of accelerating development in the usually undeveloped Zongo communities.

Nana Akuffo-Addo noted that Ghana is leading the way in democratic governance and this image could be maintained when Ghanaians ensure incidence free Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December. The Bissa ethnic group originated from Bawku and Kulungugu in the Upper East Region and Burkina Faso and Northern Togo. 26 May 08