General News of Monday, 1 November 2004

Source: GNA

Play the role of a statesman - Activist appeals to JJ

Akrokerri (Ash), Nov. 1, GNA - An Activist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to Former President Jerry John Rawlings to play the role of a statesman instead of creating tension on the political scene.

Nana Kwadwo Dumfeh, the Activist, pointed out that by his position, the Former President had become a statesman and must, therefore, avoid speeches that did not help the growth of the country's young democracy.

Speaking during an interaction with the press at Akrokerri at the weekend, Nana Dumfeh, a retired Plant Superintendent of the AngloGold Ashanti Sulphide Treatment Plant (STP), said it was important for all Ghanaians to contribute towards making the country's democracy grow by avoiding negative remarks about political leaders.

Touching on political violence, he said, it was not a healthy practice for the future of the country's democracy, adding; "I do not believe in shouting, using insulting language and violence in our politics.

"We should avoid threatening people on campaign platforms", pointing out that, building a true democracy needed time and, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to develop a heart for it.

On the impending elections, Nana Dumfeh was emphatic on the Party's victory, saying, "Kufuor will win and win massively. I am saying this not because I am a Party member but because of his good governance".

He, therefore, called on the Party members to demonstrate their loyalty and sincerity to it by voting massively for the President and the Party's parliamentary Candidates.

In a related development, Mr Marcellus Kow Frieku, Fomena Constituency Chairman of the NPP, said it was not complete for one to say that he was loyal to the Party when he or she could not properly identify with the Party.

He asked the Party's supporters to remain united and to contribute meaningfully to help build a strong NPP family in the Constituency.