Koforidua, Jan. 3, GNA - The Eastern Regional branch of the Nationa= l Democratic Congress (NDC), on Saturday organised a three-hour walk to commemorate the first anniversary of the official declaration of Professo= r John Evans Atta Mills as the president-elect after the 2008 elections. The walk, which was undertaken through the principal streets of Koforidua, was followed by a mini-rally.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, who doubled as the National Organizer of the NDC, said the walk was also to honour the party foot-soldiers for their sacrifices to bring back the party to government. He said though President Mills' administration abhorred discrimination, the party would ensure that the sacrifices of those, who worked hard to bring the NDC to power, were not forgotten. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, therefore, appealed to Municipal and District Chie= f Executives to open their doors to listen to the concerns of the foot-soldiers whenever they called on them.

He said 2009 was a difficult year but the government of Prof. Mills=

had managed to stabilize the economy which was about to take-off. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said government had initiated moves to implement massive electrification projects in many villages in the country adding contracts would soon be awarded for the rehabilitation of 32 feeder roads= in the Eastern Region.

He said the government had budgeted for the construction of eight bridges in the region to help provide easy access to marketing centres. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said government had provided GH¢2.3 million to im= prove the water situation in Koforidua especially to benefit communities in Upp= er Manya and some parts of Yilo Krobo Districts.

He urged the party foot-soldiers to work hard to ensure that the ND= C wins convincingly in the Eastern Region come 2010.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Julius Debrah also called on the foot-soldiers to be patient with the party and assured them=

that at the right time all of them would be given their dues. The Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Gyampoh thanked the=

foot soldiers for their dedication and hard work and also the delegates o= f the party for voting to retain all the former regional executives at the recently organized Regional Delegates Conference.

He called for total unity in the party and urged functionaries to always remember that the people of Ghana voted for the party because of their beliefs that the party could deliver on its promises. 3 Jan. 10