Cape Coast, June 4, GNA- The secretary to the local organizing committee of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), Mr Aidan Adongo on Friday stressed that the CJA, was a pressure group and did not belong to any individual or political party, and that it had come to "stay for good." He, in this regard, denied allegations that the committee and its 'Wahala' demonstrations were staged by a "bunch of disgruntled politicians who are hungry for political power and bent on making the government unpopular."

Mr Adongo stated this at a press conference to announce a planned forum by the committee on June 17, to herald a 'Wahala' march at a later date, in Cape Coast.

According to him, the CJA and the 'Wahala' vehicle had "passengers from all walks of life, including some strong supporters of the government," and that their concerns were primarily about the increase in fuel prices, and the economic policies of the government "that was cracking over the collective backs of working people and the unemployed like a bull whip."

He noted that unless the government did away with its neo-colonialism development stand, the nation's development would take many steps backwards.

Mr Adongo, made reference to poor potable water supply and access to quality health delivery in the rural areas, and said these were not the best as the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy Document for 2003-2005 shows.

Touching on the socio-economic situation in the region, Mr Adongo said the cost of fishing nets, premix fuel and outboard motors have skyrocketed thereby increasing the "suffering of fishing communities." He regretted that instead of engaging civil society organizations, political groups and organised labour in a meaningful dialogue to find solutions to the socio-economic problems, the government had resorted to "diversionary tactics, bare faced lies and fascist police methods to intimidate would be demonstrators."

He therefore, called on the media to collaborate with the CJA to "bring out the truth" and help find solutions to the suffering of Ghanaians who voted the government into power. 4 June 05