Koforidua, Aug 4, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minster, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would leave no stone unturned to ensure that it captured the Akwatia seat. He said although the election was to be run in only six constituencies the NDC could turn the scales in its favour if it won massively considering the figures involved and urged party functionaries to go all out to campaign vigorously to win the seat.

Addressing a meeting of NDC functionaries from the region in Koforidua on Monday he called on the grass roots and field officers, whom he described as the bedrock of the party, to prepare for the battle ahead because the job would not be completed until the Akwatia election was over.

However, he warned that despite the NDC's quest to win the Akwatia election, the government would not relent in its effort in battling illegal miners (galamsey) in the Akyem area including the Akwatia area. He told the meeting that galamsey activities along river beds was alarming to the extent that water bodies were being polluted and putting the health of the communities at risk.

The Regional Minister said the Mills Administration was determined to build a better Ghana.

"That agenda would not be sacrificed on the altar of politics where a few people would be allowed to put the future and the prosperity of the nation at risk."

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said each district in the Eastern Region was on average indebted by GHC 10 million but gave the assurance that the leadership of the government was competent and would fix the problem soon.

Mr D.S Boateng, a former regional minister who has been nominated as ambassador to Cuba, urged members of the party to be mindful of the 2012 elections and continue to work hard to retain power. He said relations between Ghana and Cuba helped in the development of the nation's human resource especially in the area of health and pledged to strengthen that relationship to ensure that people benefited. Mr Boateng appealed to party members to educate their supporters to develop their skills and improve upon their educational backgrounds to be able to access opportunities that would be available.