General News of Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Source: GNA

Minister rubbishes "all die be die" statement

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - Nii Armah Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister has noted that there was no need for Ghanaians to fight to resolve issues within the democratic dispensation, since Ghana was not at war. He was commenting on the recent statement by the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo that "all die be die", when addressing party faithful in Koforidua.

Nii Armah Ashietey said: "All die no be die," since some deaths we= re not necessary and uncalled for.

He was speaking at the first of a series of forum organised by the Regional Executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Odododiodioo Constituency of the party in Accra.

He called on opponents of the NDC not to create the impression that Ghana was in flames and said it was the responsibility of all Ghanaians to develop the country together.

The Regional Minister said there was no need for negative propaganda against the government.

Speaking to news men on the sidelines of the forum, he gave the assurance that at the end of its four-year term the NDC would have honoured all of its campaign promises.

Alhaji Innusah Fuseni, Deputy Minister of Energy, said 350 communities in the Western, Central and Brong Ahafo Regions had been connected to the national electricity grid under the Rural Electrification Project. He said 82 district capitals would benefit from streetlights this year= .. Alhaji Fuseini called on members of the party to forget their differences and work as a team to 93retire Nana Akufo Addo from politics a= nd public life in the 2012 elections".

The Deputy Minister called on the rank and file of the NDC to exhibit discipline, commitment and hard work for the party to retain power. The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, said government was aware of the activities of squatters on railway lands to disrupt the programme to develop and expand railways in the country.

She gave the assurance that their activities could not derail the process and said China had committed funds for railway development from the south to the northern sector of the country, which would enable trains to travel at 160 kilometres per hour.

She said the train shuttle from Tema to Accra central which was recently inaugurated by the President John Evan Atta Mills and the cutting of the sod for work on the Bus Rapid Transportation by Vice President John Dramani Mahama were aimed at solving the transportation problems of Accra. A Minister of State at the Office of the President, Mr Afotey Agbo, commended the government for its achievements in the road, water and railwa= y sectors and for promoting the equal rights of Ghanaians. The former Minister of Tourism, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, said the NDC was determined to lead a stable democracy in the country and retain power in th= e 2012 elections through 93the power of the thumb".