Bolgatanga, Sept 5, GNA- Mr Basko Kante, an aspiring parliamentary candidate for the Builsa South constituency in the Upper East Region, on Thursday said he has been inspired by the government's policies and programmes to contest the 2004 election on the NPP's ticket.

"The government's policies are laudable and have direction. It is the desire of my people to benefit from these policies that they, especially the youth, want me to contest."

Mr Kante, onetime Deputy Minister for Fuel and Power in the Limann government, was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Bolgatanga.

He said the constituency is abounding with several valleys fertile enough for the production of rice and that if its potentials are harnessed and managed effectively, the area alone can produce rice to feed the nation.

Mr Kante said as part of his plans to woo investors to the area he has negotiated with friends abroad to invest in rice production and large-scale animal husbandry in the constituency.

Mr Kante expressed confidence in the current stability in the country and the government's private sector growth initiatives. The parliamentary aspirant, who is an economic consultant in the United States, called on people of Builsa to support the government in its aim to bring progress to the area.

Mr Theodore Kaboa Ayaric, a Senior Accountant with the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), who is contesting with Mr Kante said his main focus is to help bring development to the area. He said will encourage modern techniques in farming, especially, in animal rearing to empower the people to improve upon their living standards.

The party has scheduled September 13, for vetting of nominees in constituencies in three districts in the region, namely Builsa, Kassena-Nankana and Bolgatanga.