General News of Sunday, 7 March 2004

Source: GNA

NPP will lose, irrespective of projects - NDC Functionary

Kumasi, March 7, GNA - No matter the number and variety of projects the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government executes this election year, it would lose the polls to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Collins Dauda, NDC's Brong Ahafo Regional chairman has held.

He said elections are won on the confidence of the electorate in a particular political party, and not the number of projects that are tactically implemented when general elections are drawing near. Alhaji Dauda was speaking on: "The success of NDC in December 2004 elections - The role of the NDC Member of Parliament", at an open forum, organised by the Gaskia Club, an affiliate of the party in Kumasi on Saturday.

He held that the electorate had lost confidence in the NPP's ability to form and run the next government because of the economic hardships it was unleashing Ghanaians.

Alhaji Dauda said the hike in transportation fare, utility bills and school fees, were a clear manifestation of the failure of the NPP Government, and a practical demonstration of its "deceit" of the electorate, since it claimed that it would reduce such tariffs when elected to power.

Dr Mustapha Ahmed, MP for East-Ayawaso constituency, dismissed rumours that he had crossed carpet to the NPP, saying "its untrue because my loyalty to the NDC is unshakeable".

He advised members of the NDC to ignore the rumour, saying it was a ploy by political opponents in an attempt to confuse members of the NDC. Dr Adamu Gyibiril, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Asokwa-East, called on party followers to re-register during this month's voter's re-registration exercise adding that taking delight in being a member of the NDC without making efforts to register as a voter was meaningless.

Other contributors at the forum were Alhaji Gado Suleimana, NDC Chairman for Asokwa-East and Mr Tony Nyame, NDC Parliamentary candidate for Atwima-Kwanwoma.