Politics of Tuesday, 16 November 2004

Source: Micheal antwi-Agyei (GN CONCORD)

I?ll Destroy NDC - Ameyaw-Akumfi

THE POLITICAL FEVER that has gripped the Techiman North constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region reached a crescendo last Sunday when the NPP?s parliamentary candidate, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, launched his campaign with a declaration that he?will destroy the NDC? in the December polls.

The Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways told the enthusiastic supporters of the constituency that his victory would be so resounding that he doubts if the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party could even pull 20 percent of the votes.

In his speech frequently interrupted by the charged supporters with various NPP election slogans, including the now famous ?Kufuor nie Osono nie? slogan, he threw the gauntlet to his NDC opponent, Alex Kyeremeh, to let their campaign be based on real issues rather than lies.

The Minister accused his main opponent in the constituency, the NDC candidate, of resorting to lies in order to confuse the electorates to win their votes, charging that eventually he hopes ?God will expose the lies of the NDC?.

However, he said he would continue to face his opponent squarely with the truth because changing course to follow the path of lies would be likened to somebody who is bathing and suddenly comes out naked to chase a mad man who has come to take his clothes away.

That, he pointed out, would make it very difficult for the electorate to differentiate between who among them is the better candidate to bring them development and that ?whether the NDC likes it or not they are falling this time?.

Confidently speaking of his chances in the upcoming elections, Ameyaw-Akumfi asked his party?s supporters to be patient with their opponents, especially in these last days leading to the December elections, knowing very well that the seat is up for their grab.

He also spoke against vote buying and campaign of influence, saying if he has money he won?t give it to individuals to vote for him but rather use it to develop the whole constituency for the benefit of everybody.

The Ports, Harbours and Railways Minister said he has come to deliver the people from their present economic hardship bequeathed to them by the NDC and urged all the supporters to be part of his campaign to oust the NDC from power.

A leading member of the NPP, Lawyer Obiri Boahen, called on the supporters not to be complacent but continue on the battle until victory in finally won, adding that present conditions indicates that there is no way the NDC would come to power again.

He suggested to the leadership of the NPP to set up what he called Political Party Reconciliation Committee to help bridge the differences that arose among many contestants from the party?s primaries.

He said nobody could deny that fact that the party urgently needs to reconcile itself to face the battle ahead in unity to ensure a resounding thrashing of the NDC into abyss.

Awerempenehene of Buoyem, Nana Yeboah Asiamah, cautioned all politicians to be guided by discipline in their campaign, stressing that ?if there is no discipline in your campaign this country may soon become like the troubled nations around us?.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, who was in no doubt about the capability of Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi in snatching the seat from the NDC, maintained that unless supporters remain vigilant on election day, their efforts would be nought.

The Techiman North constituency Chairman of the NPP, Nana Kwabena Dwumoh, praised the Prof. for his role in lifting the party to its present level.

He said for example in 1992 they had only one Tico vehicle compared to their present stock of 40 bicycles, 4 motorbikes plus two Pick-up vehicles attributing all to the untiring efforts of Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi.

And that ?we want an eminent person who will go and bring something to the constituency?. He also echoed the views of earlier speakers that the NPP would win the Techiman North seat currently occupied by the NDC?s Adjei Mensah.