The Chronicle devotes its front page to criticisms levelled against Presient Jerry Rawlings by Mr J.A. Kufuor, NPP presidential candidate in the 1996 general elections. The story has the heading: "Kufuor goes to town on the President...Rawlings is 'Konongo Kaya', he can't solve the nation's problems but would not allow those capable to do so". It says barely two months after 'going to town' on President Rawlings and his aides in the twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, the defeated flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, has done it again. The Cchronicle says Mr Kufuor, addressing delegates at the Western Regional congress of the NPP at Sekondi, likened President Rawlings to the proverbial 'Konongo Kaya' who knows he is incapable of delivering the goods, yet he is obstinately unwilling to give way for a capable man to take over. "And knowing very well that he has reached the end of his long reign, Rawlings would make sure the national coffers are depleted and used to campaign for his Vice, Prof John Atta MIlls or his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, so that he would remain in power in disquise", the Chronicle quoted Mr Kufuor as saying. GRI

In a counter on the front page of the Chronicle headlined: "Kufuor suffers from Verbal diarrhoea - NDC, the paper says in a direct response to Mr John Agyekum Kufuor's attack on President Rawlings and his aides, Mr Vincent Asiseh, Press Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also taken a swipe at Kufuor, describing him as a man suffering from verbal diarrhoea. "I think Kufuor is suffering from verbal diarrhoea. I've warned him to stop talking because it is wise to be silent when you don't have anything to say than to talk and be taken for a fool", Mr Asisieh was reported as saying. GRI