Agona Nsaba (C/R), March 29, GNA - Mr Kojo Yankah, former Ashanti Regional Minister and MP for Agona East, has declared his intention to quit active politics. He made this known at the Agona East Delegate Congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Agona Nsaba on Tuesday.

Mr. Yankah said he would not contest the 2000 parliamentary election, and thanked the National, Central Regional and Agona East executives of the party for their support during his eight years as minister and MP.

He told the delegates that he had discussed his decision with the National Executives of the NDC. The MP urged ward and constituency executives to work hard and rally behind the one who would contest the parliamentary seat and support Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills to ensure victory for the party in the 2000 general elections.

Mr Yankah said the country is facing economic hardships due to the falling prices of cocoa, gold and other commodities, which have eroded the living standards of the people.

He called on them to ensure peace and stability in the country, adding that the government would connect the area to the national grid. Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, District Chief Executive for Agona, urged party members to exercise restraint in their demands.

Mr Adu-Yeboah, who is also Central Regional Secretary of the party, said the National Congress of the party scheduled for Ho would give its backing to Professor Mills as flag bearer of the party in this year's presidential elections.

He urged Ghanaians to appreciate the work of the NDC and return it to power to continue its policies and programmes. Mr Adu-Yeboah said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had agreed to employ officers to fill vacancies in area and town councils to ensure effective implementation of the decentralisation policy.

He called on the party's supporters, especially those in the Central Region, to rally behind Prof. Mills to ensure a resounding victory. The Congress adopted a resolution to support Prof. Mills as the NDC flag bearer.