General News of Wednesday, 1 November 2000

Source: GNA

Mills: My experience will facilitate development

Ghana’s Vice President John Atta Mills, flagbearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress, on Monday said his experience in governance would facilitate national development if elected as the next president.

He said despite the lies of the opposition about what they claim is mismanagement, the chances of the NDC in the December elections are brighter than before because of its track record and ability to brave the storm.

Mills was addressing a rally at Abelenkpe in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in Accra in preparation for the December 7 general elections. "The indications are good. We are going to genuinely defeat them. We'll win hands down. The battle for a convincing victory in Abelenkpe has begun. Our forces are ready," Vice President Mills declared, amid cheers from his audience, who included senior government officials and the party's top notches.

He asked them to go all out and explain policy objectives in the party's manifesto to the people without fear of threat or intimidation from the opposition. Mills restated that government is against corruption and said the "wheels of justice will turn soon" to expose the truth. He said in as much as he admits government is made up of human beings, who cannot all be perfect, he also believes "the so-called angels are not only found outside the NDC."

He expressed regret that the opposition does not find it worthwhile mentioning some of government's bold efforts to improve the system but only picks on situations that suit them.

Mills dismissed the notion that government takes delight in frivolous spending and makes no effort to curtail expenditure. The chunk of government's bills goes into the provision of basic human amenities for the people, especially those outside the cities who produce food to feed the nation.

Mills reiterated his call for peace, unity and stability during the elections saying it should be the responsibility of every Ghanaian to guard against violence.

The parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, urged the electorate to intensify the house-to-house campaign "to convert more souls into the party." He noted that there are more floating voters who have not made up their minds. "We should explain the party's policies and programmes to them," he said.