Bolgatanga, Oct. 13, GNA - Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Flag bearer of Convention People's Party (CPP), on Sunday said his Party's priority would be to revive and expand the few abandoned factories in Upper East and Northern Regions to create jobs to the people and reduce poverty situation in the Regions.

He mentioned the meat factory at Zuarungu near Bolgatanga in Upper East Region that had been abandoned for about two decades which National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Governments constantly paid lip services to revamp. Dr Nduom said the area abounds with cattle and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali could serve as additional source for cattle supply to feed the factory.

Addressing an Upper East Regional rally at Bolgatanga, Dr Nduom said when voted into power, the CPP would ensure that the Tomato Factory at Pwalugu also near Bolgatanga, which was currently operating was expanded, because it had a low capacity and therefore could not make adequate impact at reducing poverty in the area considering the number of farmers engaged in tomato farming during the dry season. He said similar efforts would be employed to revamp the groundnut oil-extracting factory in the Northern Region that was established during Dr Nkrumah's regime but was abandoned immediately after his overthrow.

Dr Nduom justified the essence of establishing factories throughout the country and ensuring that they functioned effectively and said it was to create jobs for the citizenry, saying that a CPP government would not toy with the people's ability to work and earn good income.

Dr Nduom said CPP had a successful track record for the development of Northern Ghana and was determined to bring the needed development to the area. He therefore, called on the electorate not to give audience to the NPP and NDC and vote for the CPP, saying, "don't waste your votes on these parties, they make more promises, no delivery." Dr Nduom said job creation was a priority area the CPP would not relent on because Ghanaians were ready and willing to work. "They however, need an honest, peaceful and diligent government such as the CPP, which is committed to ensuring that Ghana becomes a prosperous nation with a healthy people," he said. Dr Nduom noted that access to tourist attractions was vital considering the vibrant nature of the sector and its contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product and promised to construct a road linking tourists' attractions in the three northern regions including Mole.

"I shall within 100 days in office as the President provide an airstrip to attract tourists to the Mole Park as part of efforts at reducing poverty in Northern Ghana," he added. Dr Abu Foster Sakara, CPP Running Mate said the CPP would take the challenge to emancipate Ghanaians from economic tantrums by implementing the ideal policies and programmes of Dr Nkrumah. He noted that CPP was not daunted by the past because it stood for social justice and peace and would continue with that philosophy when given the mandate to administer affairs of the country. Dr Sakara said CPP belonged to Ghanaians and would continue to foster a sense of belonging at all times to maintain peace in the country. Dr Nduom later introduced CPP Parliamentary Aspirants in the Region at the rally.