Politics of Thursday, 18 November 2004

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Navrongo Central Promises Skirt & Blouse

The blues of skirt and blouse voting continues to threaten the chances of the NPP in the December 7 elections all over the country. The latest to join the fray is the Navrongo Central constituency where the President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor is tipped to survive the threat, but a member of his crew to Parliament, Mr. Kofi Adda may not be that lucky.

This is because, the decision of Mr. Abdalla Otito Werseh Achuliwor, younger brother of the late Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. John Achuliwor, to contest the seat as an Independent candidate, has drawn a lot of NPP sympathizers to his camp. Mr. Achuliwor, last week, formally launched his campaign at Navrongo, which attracted almost all supporters of the NPP who were aggrieved by the party's decision not to hold primaries at Navrongo, because it was among the areas where bye-elections were held.

Before the launch, Achuluwor called on the Navro-Pio's representatives at his palace to formally inform him of his intention to contest the seat.

He told the elders that his late brother's last speech to the people of Navrongo was based on the development of the area, in which he stressed that whoever would lead the people of Navrongo should first consider the development of its human resources. He said this exactly was what his brother was doing until he met his untimely death, but since then, his successor in parliament had virtually abandoned all his brother had been doing.

The chief's representative expressed concern about tension in the area in the run up to the election and, therefore, appealed to all players to avoid any acts that could spark off violence.

The Chronicle's random survey among NPP supporters at Navrango showed an overwhelming number opting to skirt and blouse - that is vote for President Kufuor, but against the incumbent MP, Mr. Kofi Adda.

" We take instructions from our candidate, Mr. Achuliwor and since he has advised us to vote for President Kufour and himself, we have no other option and so Kufuor is our Presidential Candidate," one supporter said.

Addressing the crowd after the call on the elders, Mr. Achuliwor urged them to do everything possible to avoid any bloodshed as the chief's representative cautioned, adding, "If there is going to be bloodshed, it should not come from our camp. We shall work to avert it."

He said one of the projects undertaken by his brother to develop human resource was the Information Technology Center at Navrongo, which , according to him, was not being utilized properly.

He promised to continue with all projects that had been started by his brother, saying, " Mr. John Achuliwor is not with us in person, but let me tell you that he is here in spirit."

He told the people that his brother died whilst serving the state of Navrongo and he was also prepared to sacrifice himself for the people, predicting that within a few weeks, Mr. Adda would go away as MP to pave way for him to enter parliament and represent them.