General News of Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Source: GNA

NDC denies PNC accusation

WA, May 16, GNA - The Upper West Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday described as "baseless and malicious" accusation by the People's National Convention (PNC) that the NDC was undermining the voters' registration exercise in the region.

"As a ruling party, we are aware of the importance of such a national exercise and would only engage in activities that would support, and not undermine it". In a statement issued in Wa and signed by the Regional Organiser, Mr Adams Issahaq, the NDC said that it was inconceivable to see any political party engaged in the allegations levelled against it.

This was in reaction to the call in Accra at the weekend by the PNC for the extension of the registration period. The PNC accused some of political parties of undermining the exercise and " registering people under the cover of darkness at Gwollu.

The NDC contended that since the party and the PNC were the dominant in the Gwollu area of the Sissala Constituency, the statement was calculated to malign it.

The statement pointed out that since Gwollu is the home town of the late President Hilla Liman and a stronghold of the PNC, no other party could be strong enough to engage in what the NDC has been accused of doing."

"The truth is that the PNC tried to maximise their votes by registering children but the officials refused and this infuriated the PNC activists who have resorted to this malicious campaign of lies".

The NDC said there was shortage of registration materials in Gwollu and it was during that period that the allegations were made. The statement said the Chief of Gwollu admitted that the allegations carried by the newspapers were false and that he (chief)only reported to the regional electoral officer that one of the registration centres for Gwollu had not been opened.

It urged the PNC to cross check information from its agents before going into such publications.GNAAabNAT31CentreBekoekrom constructs Day Care centre Coaltar (E/R), May 16, GNA - The people of Bekoekrom, near Coaltar, are constructing a Day Care Centre estimated at 12 million cedis.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during a communal labour exercise on Tuesday, Mr Owusu Frimpong, Chairman of the Unit Committee said the project is being financed through the contribution of 10,000 cedis a man and 5,000 cedis a woman.

Mr Frimpong said the centre would save parents the trouble of travelling two kilometres to Krabokese with their wards. Nana Bekoe II, chief of the town who offered land for the project appealed to the World Vision International and the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District Assembly for assistance.