Oborpah-Krobo (Eastern Region) 27 April ?99

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr J.A. Kufuor, has asked Krobos not to entertain any fears that an NPP government would reclaim lands they bought from the Akims.

He described such fears as "unfounded propaganda by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to discredit us", adding, "we are a party which upholds the rule of law and personal liberty".

Mr Kufuor stated this when he met about 40 "Dademantsemei" (Chief farmers) at Oborpah-Gyakiti in the Manya Krobo district on Sunday as part of his weeklong tour of the Eastern Region.

He commended the Krobos for their hardwork in producing much food to feed the country and assured them that the NPP has a viable agricultural programme which would help to improve the production and marketing of farm produce.

Mr Kufuor said the party would resume the rural development policy embarked upon by the Busia regime which, he said, accelerated rural development and provided the area with the Atua Government Hospital, roads and electrification.

He lamented about the poor education policy of the NDC, saying his party would provide the required facilities and improve the conditions of service of teachers to enable them to offer their best services.

Mr Kufuor and the MP for Koforidua, Mr Yaw Barimah, donated 40 bags of cement each towards the renovation of the school block in the village.

On the NDC?s health education policies, Mr Barimah said while the "cash and carry" led to avoidable deaths of the poor, the educational reforms could not support the poor child to advance to higher levels.

At Boso in the Asuogyaman District, Mr Kufuor presented customary drinks to the traditional council to console them over the death of their paramount chief, Nana Nyarko Yeboa.

He also donated 50 bags of cement towards the renovation of the palace in preparation for the funeral scheduled for the end of next month.