Regional News of Tuesday, 23 September 2008

Source: GNA

PNC expresses worry about poverty in mining communities

Kwabeng (ER) Sept. 23, GNA - Dr Edward Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), on Monday expressed worry about the worsening conditions in mining communities, even though a lot of resources were being taken from those areas daily. He said there was no reason why mining communities would be denied social amenities such as good drinking water and roads among other things, at a time when gold prices on the world market kept on soaring. Addressing mini rallies at Kwabeng and Begoro in the Atiwa and Fanteakwa districts respectively as part of his Eastern regional campaign tour, Dr Mahama appealed to the people to give the PNC the mandate in the December general elections, to be able to restore their human dignity. He said a PNC government would establish a public University in the Eastern Region to make it possible for more qualified Ghanaians to have access to university education. Dr Mahama promised parents that their children would have a brighter future under a PNC led government, where education would be affordable to all. He condemned acts of violence among supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in some parts of the country and appealed to the security agencies to be fair and firm, and bring the perpetrators to book. Mr Bernard Mornah, General Secretary of the party, said a PNC government would make the Afram Plains the "food basket' of the country to ensure that the country is sufficient in its food supply. He told the people that some time ago they were asked to examine their living conditions before casting their vote, but now he would require of them to look at their future and vote for the "right man" to lead them. Mr Mornah condemned the government for selling most of the nation's assets to foreigners at the time that its Flagbearer was proclaiming that "he believed in Ghana". Hajia Hajara Ali, Women's Organizer of the party, told the people to reject both the NPP and the NDC, which she said were associated with violence and vote the PNC into power come December 07. "Let us park the two political parties somewhere for Dr Mahama to come and stabilize the nation," she said.