Akyem Swedru (E/R), Jan. 13, GNA- Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Friday, announced his intention to stand as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate when the Party opens nomination later in the year.

"When the National Chairman and the executive invites party members to apply to become candidates, I will definitely apply" he said. Mr Owusu-Adjapong who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Swedru and also the acting Road and Transportation Minister was addressing polling station executive from the constituency at Akyem Swedru.

He said the NPP needed a person who showed enough commitment to the party and who would be capable of winning the 2008 elections hands down. Mr Owusu- Adjapong said he would conduct a civil campaign devoid of name-calling and focus on issues, and would not harp on the weakness of any opponent.

He reminded the polling station executive that the 2008 election would not be an easy one and that there was the need for the NPP to intensify their educational campaign in the communities to win more supporters for the party.

"You should educate the people on the good achievements of the government such as the capitation grant, school feeding programme, free ride for school children on metro buses and the National Health Insurance Scheme among others".

Mr Yaw Amoabeng Gyekye, the Eastern Regional chairman of the NPP urged the party activists to take stock of their achievements and map out strategies for next year's general elections.

He advised them to be patient and to sacrifice for the future, reminding them that they would be failing the people of Ghana if through their actions and inactions they failed to win the 2008 elections.

"You have a task before you and you dare not fail otherwise when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) comes to power, we are all doomed forever".

Mr Gyekye assured the polling stations executive that they would be provided with logistics such as bicycles to enhance their campaign. Mr Isaac Edumadze, a former Central Regional Minister urged them not to divide their ranks but to work hard towards maintaining and sustaining the power.

He appealed to party supporters who were threatening not to vote in any future elections to reconsider their decision and said being in opposition was not an ideal place.