Goaso (B/A), Aug 9, GNA - About 200 Kusasis in five communities in the Asunafo District have defected from the National Democratic Congress and joined the New Patriotic Party.

They communities are Sankore, Ntonso, Kokooso, Agyeikrom and Thousand Acre.

Nana Kwadwo Awuni, the Kusasi Chief, confirmed the decision in an interview with Ghana News Agency, saying the NDC had failed in addressing their development, social and economic problems as they promised.

He said during the 2004 general election campaign, the NDC Parliamentary candidate for the area, Mr Eric Opoku, promised to address their needs if they voted for him.

"This compelled us to vote for him to grab the seat but after that efforts to get him to honour this promise have proved futile." The chief said they also disliked the position of the NDC "to spread unfounded rumours, lies, slander and backbiting" in the district. "What we need is development to help improve our living standards, not divide and rule tactics", Nana Awuni said.

The chief expressed their appreciation to the government for the introduction of the School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant and called for the sustenance of the two programmes. Nana Awuni commended the government for the construction of roads and good school structures, provision of potable water and extension of electricity to the rural areas.

He appealed to the government to increase the price of cocoa this year so as to enable them to increase their produce. 08 Aug 06