Takoradi, Feb. 22, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is offering a= 50 per cent rebate on the party's parliamentary fees for women candidates to encourage their participation in the party's selection process. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was addressing party members at a meeting in Takoradi as part of the nationwide tour of the party hierarchy to sensitise on the campaign strategies and canvass more seats to regain power from the National Democratic Party (NDC) which knocked it out in the 2008 parliamentary and presidential elections.

He advised ladies with potential to take advantage of the offer to fil= e their nominations when it is opened saying the nomination forms would be available in all the constituencies, regions and the head office. He explained that the total of GHC16,000 fee expected to be paid by aspirants would be used for party work especially to support all campaigns and pay party agents at polling stations among other commitments. The National Chairman cautioned against frustrating aspirants to contest the 2012 parliamentary and presidential elections saying that the mistakes made in the last elections that caused the party so dearly must no= t be repeated He therefore urged potential aspirants to contest without fear or favour saying that the primaries would be held in openness, transparency under the supervision of electoral officers.

The party's flagbearer for the 2012 elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo advised members to bury their differences, unite and forge ahead with a common goal to conduct clean campaigns devoid of inflammatory statements to canvass more votes for the party to wrestle power from the NDC. Nana Akufo-Addo implored members to re-examine themselves critically before filing their nominations as the work of a parliamentarian require commitment, hard work, courage, love, sacrifice and patriotism. To ensure good campaigns, the NPP presidential candidate announced tha= t a 93Campaign Advisory Council" is being formed with Ex-president Mr John Agyekum Kufuor as the head and ex-vice president Alhaji Aliu Mahama his deputy, while a 93Conflict Resolution Committee" headed by Madam Frema O= pare is in the offing.