General News of Saturday, 8 September 2001

Source: GNA

NPP has right to prosecute -Mills

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Ex-Vice-President, on Saturday said the New Patriotic Party government has the right to prosecute anybody if there is a strong evidence of infringement of the law.

Commenting on the prosecution of some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for various economic crimes on "Big Issues", a talk show, on Takoradi-based SkyyPower FM, Prof. Mills said the NDC does not object to the government trying to enforce the law but added that this should apply to everybody.

He said there should not be unnecessary harassment, witch-hunting and prosecution of people just because they are members of the NDC.

Prof. Mills said the development of the country should be the sole responsibility of all Ghanaians. It was not a sign of tribalism that the Volta Region is a stronghold of the NDC, he said, explaining that the objectives of the party reflects the concerns of the people there.

He said if people fanned tribalism, it could become a monster, and urged Ghanaians to deal positively with it.

On the performance of the NPP government so far, Mills said he did not want to be a soothsayer but stated that the ordinary people of the country must judge the government by its electoral promises.

He said the NDC did not have any objection to the repeal of the criminal libel law because it could lay the foundation for viable press freedom. Prof. Mills was happy that checks and balances were being introduced to ensure fair reporting.

He said he would continue to be a member of the NDC and would serve the party in any capacity, adding that it is up to the people to decide whether he has the capacity to serve as the president of the country.

Prof. Mills said the NDC was strong and alive and in the process of reorganisation, adding that the party was examining the causes of its defeat in the 2000 elections.

The NDC, he said, would correct its mistakes no matter who was involved.