Takoradi, July 23, GNA - Mr Gabby Okyere-Darko, Chief Executive of the Danquah Institute, on Wednesday said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is in favour of election of District Chief Executives in principle. He was speaking at a forum organised by the Institute for journalists and communicators of the NPP in the Western Region at Takoradi.

Mr Okyere-Darko said it would be prudent to strengthen the decentralization system and certain institutions before District Chief Executives are elected.

He said this is necessary to prevent conflict in the decentralization process and to ensure democratic accountability to the people instead of to the President. Mr Okyere-Darko said the next President should be a leader who has the confidence and courage to fight for the best interest of the country.

He said the country does want a leader who would be quiet even in the face of human rights abuses. Mr Okyere-Darko said Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the flag bearer of the NPP, has always been on the side of the country and the people. He said although his opponents said he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he has always fought for freedom. Mr Okyere-Darko said the forthcoming elections would be a contest between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress. He said the electorate have the freedom to decide who to vote for in the election on the basis of the achievements of the two parties. Mr Okyere-Darko said the NPP has brought peace, stability, freedom, prosperity and progress to the country but the NDC failed to achieve these. He spoke of the efforts Nana Akufo-Addo made to bring peace, unity, freedom and reconciliation to the country.