Bekwai (Ash), May 3, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has demanded hard work, sacrifice and unity of purpose from all members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the party prepares for the struggle to recapture political power in 2012.

They should remain totally focused, avoid petty internal squabbles and unnecessary distractions. The Former President was addressing a political rally held at Asante-Bekwai on Sunday to close the chapter on the bitter intra-party dispute that created cracks in the Bekwai constituency and threatened to fuel voter apathy.

Dubbed "Peace and Unity Rally", the event climaxed weeks of an extensive tour of the various communities by the NPP leadership to meet, listen and address the concerns of the members and supporters of the Party. The Bekwai NPP was thrown into turmoil following a narrow margin defeat of Mr Joe Osei-Owusu by Mr Ignatius Kofi Poku Adusei at the party's 2008 parliamentary primaries. Mr Osei-Owusu contested the parliamentary seat unaffiliated and won.

Former President Kufuor vowed to throw his full weight behind whoever is elected the party's presidential candidate by the national congress on August 7.

He said he would go with the choice of the party and ensure total support for the successful candidate to lead them to victory in the general election which is about two-and-a-half years away. Ex-President Kufuor gave high marks to the eight years administration of the NPP for the various social interventions it introduced, citing among them the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and free maternal care.

He said it was sad that these interventions that brought protection and relief especially to the poor and vulnerable, were on a downturn and tragically heading towards collapse. He said the incompetence of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had become increasingly clear to all and that Ghanaian voters should punish them for this by voting them out of office in the next national polls.

Mr Fred Oware, First National Chairman of the party, pledged that the leadership would be honest and accountable to maintain the unity and cohesion of the party.

He said election committees would be formed in all the constituencies to oversee to the efficient and transparent management of the parliamentary primaries.

Mr Oware cautioned supporters of aspiring presidential candidates to be more circumspect in their utterances and ensure civility.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Frederick Fredua Anto, criticised the NDC for its poor performance that was worsening the poverty and unemployment situation in the country. Mr Patrick Adu-Gyamfi, the Constituency Chairman, said they were determined to work hard to significantly increase the NPP's share of votes in the 2012 general election to return the party to power.