General News of Tuesday, 3 August 2004

Source: GNA

NPP fulfilled its manifesto

Koforidua, Aug. 3, GNA - The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Felix Owusu Agyepong has declared that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration had fulfilled every item on its 2000 Election Manifesto and challenged anyone who had contrary views to come out with any default.

Speaking at the New Juaben North NPP Primaries at Effiduase-Koforidua to endorse Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman as NPP Parliamentary candidate on Sunday, he pointed out that all the promises made in the manifesto were delivered under the five core policy-guidelines under agriculture reforms, good governance and rule of law, private sector development, provision of social services and economic development.

Mr Owusu Agyapong, who had also been endorsed as an unopposed NPP candidate for Akim Swedru, asked the Polling Station Chairmen to ensure that not only should the Party win in the Constituency in Election 2004, but the margin should not be less than 80 per cent of total valid votes. He promised two million cedis award to any polling station, which would be able to obtain over 85 per cent of votes for the Party in the Constituency.

The Minister for Regional Co-operation and NEPAD, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku told critics of the government, who claimed there was mass poverty in the country to realize that the NPP administration was now rebuilding the foundation for economic growth which "it took the (P)NDC 20 years to destroy." He cited ongoing infrastructure development, micro-economic stability, social services and peaceful atmosphere the country was enjoying and reminded them that without peace, there could be no development as being witnessed in some neighbouring countries.

Dr Apraku, however, cautioned the Party members against selfishness within the ranks and file of the party. The MP for New Juaben South and Minister of Employment and Manpower development, Mr Yaw Barimah asked the people in the Municipality to reflect on the ongoing development projects within the last three years through the effort of President John Agyekum Kufuor and Mr Owusu Agyeman and asked them to renew their mandate through "a one-touch defeat of the opposition in the first round".