Tamale, Aug. 6, GNA- The Tamale Central Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has presented certificates to 166 of its polling station agents in recognition of their services during the 2004 general election and by-elections in the Northern Region. Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the party, signed the certificates.

Mr. Inusah Fuseini, Member of Parliament for the constituency who made the presentation, said the NDC had realised that the success and victory of the party depended on the contributions and sacrifices of the polling station agents and therefore the party must continue to appreciate their efforts.

Mr. Fuseini said the NDC constitution regarded the polling station agent "as the single most important person during elections", adding: "But for their vigilance, the NDC would not have won the Tolon, Zabzugu and Tamale Central bye-elections".

He urged the agents to organise themselves properly and carry out house-to-house campaigns to educate the people on the good intentions of the party as well as the need to vote the NPP out of power in the 2008 general election.

He described the NDC "as a social democratic party", which had the welfare of the people at heart and said unlike the NPP, it would not dissipate the resources of the nation in unprofitable ventures such as the construction of a presidential palace while the country was faced with serious energy crisis.

The MP said when the Tamale Metropolis was hit by rainstorm recently, the government claimed that it had no money to rehabilitate the destroyed buildings but found it prudent to build a presidential palace and also continue to ask Parliament to approve more money for the celebration of Ghana at 50.

Mr. Fuseini said even though the NDC was not in power, it was the single political party in the country, which contributed significantly to help alleviate the plight of the rainstorm victims.

In a related development Alhaji Ibrahim Andani, the constituency chairman has denied rumours that he wanted to contest the incumbent MP for the parliamentary seat.

He asked the party members to be wary of people who had been going round saying he was collecting items from the MP and distributing them in his name and claiming to be contesting the parliamentary seat. 6 Aug 07