Accra, Oct. 23, GNA- The ruling NPP on Saturday launched its 2004 Election campaign with a mammoth rally at the forcourt of the James Town Mantse's Palace in Accra.
Their manifesto for the election is 'Positive Change-The Next Phase".
The milling crowd danced to melody provided by the Western Diamonds band and the entire grounds was thrown into frenzy when the NPP Presidential Candidate President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived. The security personnel had a hectic time to control the crowd that surged forward to catch a glimpse of the President.
President Kufuor told NPP supporters and sympathizers that they should not only conduct themselves within the ambit of the law but to also be cautious about their language and actions.
He said they should not respond to provocation no matter how trying the circumstances might be:" only then will our sincerity be felt by all".
The NPP Presidential Candidate said " we have an election to win. We are in the final approach and we must all do our part. I charge you today as we formally launch our campaign to go out tell our story to Ghanaians. Victory is in sight".
Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama asked Ghanaians to give President Kufuor another tenure of office adding " President Kufuor is a man of high humility, good character, good and enviable leadership qualities". Vice President Mahama said the Government had a very good record for the past four years it had been in office and Ghanaians should give the NPP their mandate for another term.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said about 32,000 'ghost names' had been expunged from the national pay roll since the Government assumed power in 2001. He assured Ghanaians of more employment if they should give the NPP a second term.