Cape Coast, Dec 29, GNA - A cross-section of residents of Cape Coast have expressed the hope that the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would retain power in next year's general elections to enable it continue its good work.

They expressed these views when the GNA interviewed them about their expectations for the coming year. Mr Godwin Kodzo Nutsukpui, a 69-year-old retired dispensary technician, was of the view that the NPP had achieved more in its eight years of rule than other governments.

He said it was therefore incumbent on the people to work hard to ensure accelerated development in the coming year and urged all workers to be honest and faithful in the discharge of their duties to increase productivity.

Mr Nutsukpui, who hails from the Volta Region, appealed to the people of the region "to open their eyes and see what the NPP government is doing".

Mr Alhassan Seidu, a taxi driver, said the NPP government had done well and that there was more freedom in the country and called on the party's flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to ensure that the party retained power in the next elections. He expressed concern about the rising cost of fuel and urged the government to impose more taxes on cigarettes and alcohol imports to cushion the effects of increase in oil prices. A 72-year old resident, Alhaji Awudu Karim, also wants the NPP, which he said has brought about a lot of development, to continue in power.

He said he was happy that Ghana was hosting the African Cup of Football tournament and that this would mean an improvement in the economy and was confident that Ghana would win the tournament.

Chief Officer Joseph Amoako of the Ghana Prisons Service at Ankaful expressed the wish that the NPP would retain power because it had been able to bring down inflation and had improved socio-economic conditions in general with regard to the provision of roads and other infrastructure.

He expressed the hope that socio-economic conditions would improve more in the coming year to enable Ghanaians feel the change in their pockets.

Mr Yaw Antwi commended the government for its hard work and urged it to intensify public awareness about its programmes and policies to stem the perception among some Ghanaians that it was not doing well. On Ghana 2008, he was said he was hopeful Ghana would win. Madam Ama Mansah, a 69-year-old retired banker, said she wanted the NPP to "rule forever and ever" because of the prevailing peaceful atmosphere and freedom in the country.

She urged the government to ensure that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was properly implemented to enhance all aspects of health care delivery.

She was also of the view that the government ought to do something about the high fees paid for senior high school education. Ms Janet Ofori, a businesswoman, said she wanted the NPP to retain power but urged the government to include private schools in the provision of the capitation grant.

A 75-year old printer, Mr Albert Jackson, commended the government for the prevailing peace and freedom and for the numerous development projects, while Majid Dawoud, a draughtsman, called for more employment avenues to stem the situation of parents still caring for their adult children because they cannot get jobs. Mr Samuel Fosu, a second year Electrical Engineering student at the Cape Coast Polytechnic, expressed the hope that the government would establish more public universities since not all those who qualify gain admission to the existing ones.

Mr Essuon Gyamen, a retired Medical Assistant, expressed the hope that there would be peaceful elections next year to enhance the nation's future, while Nana Gyaah, a farmer, was hopeful that socio-economic conditions would improve. Madam Charlotte Vandyke, a sales girl, said she was hopeful that conditions would improve next year to enable her establish her own business. Mr Gideon Fianya, a tutor, also expressed the hope that socio-economic conditions would improve.

Mr Juliana Browne, Central Regional Project Coordinator of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), expressed the hope that the coming year would be a successful one and urged all Ghanaians to endeavour to lead responsible and meaningful lives. Barikisu Yusif, a trader, said the NPP government should make way for another government in the coming year so that economic conditions in the country could improve.