General News of Friday, 30 April 2004

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Rousing Welcome for Prof. Mills ...

... As He Storms Western Region

PROFESSOR JOHN Evans Atta Mills, flagbearer of the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reiterated that the NDC will be more sensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.

"The NDC would be more sensitive to the plight of Ghanaians and the suffering of the people under the Kufuor led administration."

Briefing the press yesterday on the recent six-day tour embarked upon by the flagbearer, in the Western Region, the former Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Ohene Agyekum, stated that the NDC government would be compassionate and caring to the average Ghanaian who cannot afford three square meals a day.

According to him, the tour which took the NDC to seven constituencies in the Western Region, namely Bibiani, Sefwi-Wiawso, Bia, Akotombra, Juabeso, Dadieso, Enchi and a brief stop over at Asankragwa, Prof. Mills received a rousy welcome, where he addressed the people.

A video clip which authenticates the rousy welcome of the NDC flagbearer was shown to the press since the press could not follow them on the tour.

On the clip, it was clear that Prof. Mills found it extremely difficult at some point to walk through the crowd.

Mr. Agyekum indicated that what they witnessed in the Western region proved to them that the NDC is far ahead of the NPP into victory.

"In all, Prof. Mills had very good interaction among the chiefs and people in the areas that we visited. It was very re-assuring to see the crowd which came out to meet Prof. Mills. Even more reassuring was the evidence that the NDC as a party is alive and kicking all over the place," he said.

The Ex-Minister explained that residents in the areas in their interaction with the entourage noted that they were now facing more hardships and that living conditions under the NPP government was worse as compared to the reign of the NDC.

Prof. Mills, according to Mr. Agyekum, who was supported by Mr. Victor Gbeho, independent candidate for the Anlo Constituency, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, an economist, Alhaji Collins Dauda, Brong Ahafo regional chairman of the party, Mr. Seth Ohene Ofori, press secretary to the flagbearer and a host of others, expressed concern over the appalling living conditions.

He told the press of how Prof. Mills recounted the infrastructural development the NDC had brought to Sefwi and other areas. He disclosed the NDC's construction of roads, extension of electricity, hospitals and other projects, which were now being undertaken by the ruling government when he was the Vice President.

According to ex-Minister, Prof. Mills called on the electorate to decide and vote massively to bring the NDC back into power to ensure a better life for all and sundry.