Accra (Greater Accra) 7 April '99

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday said it welcomed President Jerry Rawlings' congratulatory message to the party on its victory in the Ablekuma Central by-election. It however said that it is pleasantly surprised that "for the first time since he assumed the mantle of leadership in Ghana, President Jerry Rawlings has offered a conciliatory hand of sorts to an opposition political party." A statement signed by Mr Dan Botwe, NPP General Secretary, said it is "unfortunate that President Rawlings has waited until the very last few months of his near two decades tenure to begin such gestures of reconciliation." It said it is regrettable that the "message carried barbs that were entirely unnecessary." The party said it had sought to engage the governing party in dialogue in an attempt to forge a national consensus and co-operation with the express aim of promoting progress of the country. It said it was urging President Rawlings and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to carry further this "first step at reconciliation" in an effort to bring Ghanaians closer. The NPP would continue to fight for reconciliation as it thinks progress and prosperity in the country can only be achieved on the altar of true peace and harmony, the statement said.