Dan Botwe Blames Country's Woes On Previous Gov'ts

THE FORMER Information Minister, who was hit recently by President Kufuor's reshuffle, Mr. Dan Botwe has noted that Ghana has been blessed with abundant natural resources, but mismanagement of such resources by previous governments had led the nation into extreme poverty.

Mr. Dan Botwe, also the then General Secretary, who led the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to two electoral victories, explained that the ruling party remained the best hope for the country's developmental agenda and urged all Ghanaians to retain the party in the 2008 elections.

Speaking at a Symposium organized by the Sunyani Polytechnic Branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON) in Sunyani, under the theme, "Deriving more support base for NPP, the role of TESCON", he challenged members of TESCON to see themselves as a major factor for the party to win a landslide victory in the 2008 elections.

Mr. Botwe stressed the importance to help imbue the ideological base of the party among members of TESCON, who constitute the future leaders of the country.

He noted that even though infrastructural development of the country was important, there was the need to help "TESCON members go back to history and learn more about the ideologies in the formation of the party in order not to repeat some of the basic errors" He urged members of TESCON to explain government policies at the grassroots level to woo more people to the party.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organizer, Mr. Alfred Ofori Annye, expressed concern about power struggle that has engulfed the party hierarchy recently.

He said the Danquah/Busia groups champion the course of unification in the formation of the party, stressing the need to maintain such spirit to ensure its growth.

"No political party can bring NPP down except its members," Mr. Annye said and advised members to demonstrate unity of purpose and tackle the diverse problems facing the party.

Sunyani Polytechnic Branch President of TESCON, Mr. Enoch Antwi reiterated members' commitment and preparedness to educate the people about policies of government and mentioned financial constraints as a major factor facing the confederacy.