General News of Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Source: GNA

Rawlings criticises NPP for corruption

Kpando, Sept. 9, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Monday said there was corruption in high places under the tutelage of President John Agyekum Kufuor, which he said was unprecedented in the annals of the country.

He said the re-denomination of the Cedi by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Kufuor was to facilitate looting of the national coffers.

Former President Rawlings was speaking at NDC rally at Kpando, on the first day of his four-day campaign tour of the Volta region. He said "A sizeable valise stashed with the new Ghana Cedis could total 4.5 billion old cedis, just for easy handling to aid corruption". Former President Rawlings would tour North Dayi, South Dayi, Hohoe South, Ho-East and Ho-West.

He questioned the rationale and legitimacy of government doing business with other banks at the expense of Ghana Commercial Bank, the pride of the nation.

Former President Rawlings observed that the moral standing of the nation had taken a nosedive and the only way for redemption was to vote out the Kufuor Government

He said majority of Ghanaians have been reduced to second and third rated citizens in the face of affluence displayed by cohorts and cronies of government.

Former President Rawlings said "How long can we continue to die and suffer in search of justice and dignity". He cautioned the electorate against falling prey to the display of affluence by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the machinery of propaganda of lies basically to confuse them. Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd), former Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe-North, said the development pendulum would tilt towards the NDC if the balance sheet was drawn between it and the NPP.

He said Ghanaians would be the best judges to compare the two regimes stressing that most of the development projects in the roads; health or education sectors were either piloted or initiated by the NDC. Mr Joseph Amenowode, MP for Hohoe-South, urged the NPP to begin to compose its handing over notes, as the "elephant has metamorphosed into kangaroo and was likely to become a shrew by December".

Ms Akosua Sena Dansua, MP for North-Dayi, said the party was strategizing to repeat the 2004 dosage by recording the highest figure in the Parliamentary elections.

She said the NDC was firm on the ground and victory was steering at the party.

Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, appealed to party supporters to remain vigilant and peaceful for a resounding