Communities should not tie their franchise with demands

Goaso (B/A) Feb. 17, GNA - The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti, has described as unacceptable the decision by some communities in the region to tie the exercise of their franchise in the December elections to government's response to their demands.

Ghanaians need to consider their participation in public elections as a civic responsibility bestowed on them by the 1992 constitution and exercising their franchise is the most reliable means of being part of the nation's decision-making process, irrespective of one's place of residence, he said.

Nana Seinti was addressing a fund-raising rally at Goaso organized by the Asunafo North Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party towards the smooth campaign of the party for the 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Nana Seinti urged the people to register when the voters' register re-opened, saying the voter identity cards would not only be required for the polls but would also serve as a reliable source of data for the nation's development.

He commended the party's supporters for keeping faith with the government and called on them to vote massively in December for the NPP to retain power to continue with its good work.

The Asunafo District Chief Executive, Mr. George Yaw Boakye, assured members of the party that the District Assembly and Members of Parliament in the area would not relent in efforts to help improve the living standards of the people.

Present at the rally were the Berekum District Chief Executive, Mr Kwabena Kyereh and the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah.