Tamale, Jan. 12, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has set up an Accident Relief Fund (ARF) to assist party supporters who got injured in the course of duty.

He said "Friends of the NDC" from the North America, New York City and Virginia Chapters of the United States as well as some individuals in Ghana had contributed about GH¢10,000.00 to the fund. The Vice President said this in Tamale at the weekend when he visited some party supporters who were involved in an accident on their way to welcome him when he was visiting the Northern Region as a presidential running-mate.

He said Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South would be in charge of the disbursement of the fund, which would be given to victims according to the severity of injuries. The accident victims he visited were Ms Wasilatu Baba who had her leg amputated, Abudu Mahama, Issahaku Zakaria and Adija Abdul Rahman whose hospital bills were paid by NDC sympathizers in the region. Vice President Mahama said; "I promise you that nobody's toil and contribution for the party will be in vain". He said the NDC would operate a system of government that would benefit both the supporters and non-supporters of the party for mutual coexistence.

"Though people would be appointed to occupy official positions from the party, their work would be felt at all levels. Professor Mills had already said there would be no NDC, NPP or CPP Ghana and all of us would ensure that all Ghanaians enjoyed the fruits of their labour," he said. The Vice President used the opportunity to pay courtesy calls on some traditional rulers within the Tamale Metropolis who urged President Mills to work hard to unite the country, which had been polarized over the years because of politics. He also attended the final funeral rites of Alhaji Baba Gariba, father of Dr Sulley Gariba, Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Alternative (IPA), who died last week. The funeral attracted high profile personalities such as Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, Flagbearer of the People's National Convention (PNC) and his wife Comfort Mahama, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Mr Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament, Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, ranking member of the NDC, MPs from Upper East and Upper West and other executives of the party. 12 Jan. 09