Sekondi, Dec. 31, GNA- Mr Peter Mac-Manu, National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday said, the just ended congress of the party had unified and boosted its image.

He said the conceding of defeat by Mr Allan Kyeremanteng coupled with the matured manner in which the entire process was organized has proved to "skeptics" that the NPP is a democratic party and believes in it. Mr Mac-Manu said these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Sekondi after a thanksgiving service for a successful congress on Sunday.

He said the executives, foot soldiers and sympathizers of the party played significant roles before, during and after the December 22 congress.

He said the party would work tirelessly to ensure a total victory in the 2008 elections under the leadership of Nana Akuffo-Addo. Mr Mac-Manu said, the interests within the party had been renewed by all the 17 former aspirants through their campaigns and tours of the country, and therefore urged Nana Akuffo-Addo to sustain the interest. "Our party is a mass party and we have trained all our constituency, branch and regional officers in effective communication, attracting new members and election monitoring among others" he added. He urged other political parties to be civil during their campaigns and avoid insults, intimidation, and abusive language among others. Mr Mac-Manu said the country could have a successful and peaceful election, only if the various political parties agree to live in peace with each other. "This is the only way our country's democracy could grow," he added.

Preaching the sermon, Right Rev. Father Albert K. Yankey, Parish Administrator of the Saint Paul's Pro-Cathedral said the importance of the family system must not be allowed to break down. He said without a family the child's development and upbringing could be ignored. Rev. Yankey said individuals are not islands and efforts must be made to integrate children into the family system.