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Govt. committed to developments than vengeance

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 Source: GNA

Accra, Nov 22, GNA- Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister on Friday said the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was concerned more about development than pursuing vengeance on its political opponents.

He said a number people in government, were imprisoned just for expressing their political opinions, but spending time to revenge those detentions would rather make the government lose focus on its development agenda. Many of the cases brought against them were framed up, he said.

Sheikh Qauye was launching four novels, written by a former Deputy Minister, Editor and Ambassador, Mr Joseph Amamoo, and his wife Breid. Mr Amamoo wrote two of the novels "The African Princess" and "The Ambassador", and the other two, "Born Lucky" and "Put it In Writing" by Breid.

The proceeds from the books would be used to support "the Mother and Child Foundation, a charitable organisation run by the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor.

The Minister said it was in the interest of peace of the country, that President Kufour was not pursuing a course of vendetta against his political opponents.

Sheikh Quaye said the soft approach the President had adopted was the best way possible, allowing for freedom of expression, a vital ingredient of rule of law.

The Regional Minister said if the President resorted to replying to detractions, he would not have the focus to rule the country. The Regional Minister paid tribute to the efforts of the Amamoos, saying the books reflected a blend of facts and fiction, which he said, would make for an exciting and pleasant reading.

Mr Amamoo stressed the need to maintain democratic governance and the observance of human rights.

"Ghanaian citizens have a duty to make democracy thrive, and not to make ourselves a laughing stock of other countries, he said, adding that corruption was not a justification for forcefully removing constitutionally elected governments, stressing that even corrupt government ought to be removed by the ballot box.

Mr Kazuko Asai, Japanase Ambassador to Ghana, described Mrs Kufour, who was present at the launch, as inspiration to women.

The first 10 sets of the novels were auctioned for 20 million cedis. Those present included Mrs Kufuor, the Chief Justice Mr Justice Kingsley Acquah, Defence Minister Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, the UNDP Resident Representative Mr Salia Fawundu, the US Ambassador to Ghana, as well as the Chairman of the Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr Osei Bonsu.

Source: GNA