THE MINISTER of State at the Presidency, Alhaji Musah Bamba, has predicted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) would survive with only 50 seats in parliament after the 2004 general elections.

He said, Ghanaians would show their appreciation to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government due to its good work and vote massively for it in the 2004 elections. Alhaji, who, together with other ministers of state, accompanied the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on his three days tour of the Eastern region, stated this at Mpraeso in the Kwahu South District.

“Judging from the excellent performance of the NPP in its only three years in power, I doubt if the NDC will survive with more than 50 seats in parliament,” he emphasised. He said the NPP believes in the rule of law and true democracy and would not use its incumbency to harass or bend the rules governing the electoral process in the country but would adopt a strategy to win the next elections decisively.

He, therefore, urged the people to remain loyal to the party and the government to enable it implement all its laudable programmes to benefit all and sundry.

On his part, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei Darko, stated that President, Mr. J. A. Kufuor would not rush to sack government appointees on account of mere allegations and newspaper publications but would thoroughly investigate each allegation before taking any action or decision.

He noted that, the government came to inherit debt but would surely clear it and move forward in development throughout the country.

He advised rural and farming communities to prevent bushfires during the dry seasons and report fire setters to the authorities for prosecution.

The minister warned that any community which would fail to protect its area from bushfires would suffer retrogression as punishment.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, used the occasion to explain the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the gathering and urged Ghanaians to embrace it since it is the only sure way to give the people efficient and affordable health care. Earlier in his welcome address, the Kwahu South District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Raymond Osafo Djan, praised the government for various projects being undertaken in the area since its assumption of office.

He pledged that his outfit would judiciously disburse all funds allocated to it by government and other agencies to benefit the people

The Vice President’s tour also took him to Asuogyaman, Yilo Krobo, Manya Krobo, Afram Plains and other districts.