Nkoranza (B/A), April 2, GNA - Mr Kwame Amporfo-Twumasi, MP for Nkoranza South has urged members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to work harder to attract more people into the party for a resounding victory in this year's general elections. Mr Amporfo-Twumasi, who is the Deputy Minister of Energy, was addressing a large number of NPP faithful at the party's office at Nkoranza last Monday after filing his nomination papers to seek re-election.

He stressed that, the great task ahead of the members was to organize themselves well and remained faithful to the party as well as avoid negative attitudes and practices that would endanger the developmental agenda of the party.

Mr Amporfo-Twumasi asked the people to support his bid to retain his seat, so he could continue to serve them to promote the development of the area.

Mr James Kwabena Appiah-Awuah, District Chief Executive for the area, commended the members and supporters of the party for maintaining their spirit and love for the party since 1992 and urged them to eschew petty squabbles and practices that would divide their ranks. "The NPP government has laid a strong foundation for accelerated national development and with its good governance, there is no way that, the party will not emerge victorious in the December general elections," he said.

Mr Eric Boateng, constituency chairman of the party announced that as at the close of filing of nomination for parliamentary aspirants, only Mr Amporfo-Twumasi had done so and was therefore declared unopposed. He said the Deputy Minister has paid his registration fee of GH¢1,000

In a related development, Mr Amporfo-Twumasi urged religious bodies to promote love, unity, peace and understanding among the citizenry to ensure rancour-free elections in December.

He made the call in a speech read for him at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church at Nkwabeng at the close of a four-day annual conference of the Brong-Ahafo Presbyterian Catechists Conference in the Nkwabeng District Presbytery.

Mr Amporfo-Twumasi said the next general election was a crucial event in the annals of Ghana's history since it would test Ghana's level of participatory democracy.

"As one people, we should not allow party politics to divide us, rather we should promote fellow feeling and collaborate to initiate development programmes that would bring improvement in the living standards of the people," he said.

The Deputy Minister also called on the leadership of churches to use the pulpit to educate the youth to be disciplined and to shun negative practices such as "wee" smoking, alcoholism and illicit sex in order to grow and become responsible adults.

The Reverend Father Richard Robert Brobbey, Chairman of the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery in sermon, advised members of the Church to turn a new leaf and lived a life that was worthy of emulation. "As Christians you should bury the past and shun negative attitudes and practice love, fellow feelings and affection in your community for others to appreciate your status as Christians. He asked the church leadership to collaborate with health personnel to educate members on health issues and to guard against diseases. Reverend Seth Obeng-Asare of Nkwabeng District Presbyterian Church noted with regret, the growing usage of hard drugs among unemployed youth in the area and called on parents and opinion leaders to help find a lasting solution to the menace. 2 April 08