Gomoa Ngyiresi (C/R), Sept 28, GNA - Most of the Presidential Hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party and the National Chairman, Mr Peter Mac Manu were at the funeral of the Late Augustus Kwame Donkor, father of Mr Joe Donkor, Gomoa West Chairman of the party, last weekend. They rushed to the funeral at Gomoa Ngyiresi, in the Central Region after collecting their nomination forms from the Party Headquarters in Accra.

The aspirants and their campaign teams clad in various "T' shirts" in party colours turned the funeral into a political rally. Also present were Mr Danguah Smith, Central Regional Chairman of the NPP, MPs, District Chief Executives (DCEs) and all the Constituency Chairmen of the Greater Accra and Central Regions and elsewhere of the party.

The aspirants were Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and his wife, the first to arrive, followed by Professor Mike Oquaye and his wife, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Mr Felix Owusu Agyepong, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.

The other aspirants were Mr Osafo Maafo and Mr Dan Botwe while Vice President Aliu Mahama was represented.

Also present were traditional rulers, Assembly Members and opinion leaders in the District.

In a sermon, the Very Reverend Michael Abedu, Superintendent Minister of the Apam Circuit of the Methodist Church, urged Christians to avoid hatred and gossip, which created a barrier between them and their creator.

Speaking to the newsmen after the burial and memorial service, Mr Donkor, expressed his appreciation for the presence of the aspirants and many others and said he had been inspired to believe that "I am in a big family in case of difficulties".

He said it had also enhanced the fortune of the NPP in the area and a testimony that he had worked hard for the party. Mr Joe Kinsley Hackman, MP for Gomoa West, expressed appreciation to the Aspirants, MPs, National and Regional executives, party supporters, Assembly members and chiefs for their presence and donations, which he said be remembered in the history of the constituency. 28 Sept 07