Accra, Aug. 8, GNA - Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, on Sunday accused the government of bad governance that has led to mass poverty and upsurge in criminal activities.

He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to give the NPP their mandate to reverse the trend, saying: "there is hope in the NPP. Just give us the chance in the 2000 elections and you will never regret it".

Mr Kufuor was addressing a rally of the NPP at Town Council Line's Red Park in Ablekuma Central where the party won a bye-election in March, this year, following the death of Mr C Crabbe, then NPP Member of Parliament.

"There are widespread poverty, unmerciful criminals and mass exodus of Ghanaians to other lands because we are still dealing with leaders who are unnationalistic and bankrupt of ideas.

"Our nation is in crisis, fellow countrymen; we need prayers and good leadership to prevent a disaster." Mr Kufuor said while a few privileged ones are enjoying, the majority of Ghanaians are reeling under poverty and hopelessness, adding: "the family unit, the last institution, which has survived all these years, is on the brink of disintegration".

He also rebuked the government for not stamping out corruption and for killing the local entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr Kufuor warned that under no circumstance would the party allow rigging and other forms of intimidation during the 2000 elections. "We think enough is enough, never again shall we sit idle for them to cheat us. We are ready for anything."

He called for the issuance of photo voter identity cards to all Ghanaians and a census to make the next general elections credible. Mr Kufuor urged all Ghanaians to resist any attempt at dividing them along tribal lines, "especially at this time when we have so much at stake".

Mr Samuel Odoi Sykes, National Chairman, denied that there is disunity in the party. He said it is the party's style to discuss issues that baffle people because "some cannot understand why we do not have a human god in our midst".

Mr Odoi Sykes said Mr Kufuor's running mate would be chosen at an undisclosed date through well-structured processes. Mr. Victor Okuley Nortey, Member of Parliament for the area called for the support of his constituents for the party.

"I stood on this same ground in March and promised to serve you if you gave me the opportunity. Now that you have given me the chance, I want to thank you and still ask you to support the party for good."