President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday counted the blessings of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the history of the country, saying the six-year reign of his government has achieved more for the country than its predecessor governments.
The President was speaking at a post conference rally which had featured his sober reflection on qualities he expected from his successor, because he expects to hand over to an NPP government.
The President recalled the times of the Danquah-Busia tradition in opposition, as well as its short stint in power under the Second Republic. He recounted the travails of some of the forebears of the tradition, which he said included detentions.
According to the president, the government came into power at a time when people were queuing for petrol amidst persistent high inflation rates that made pessimists pronounce that his government could not last for six months.
The president recounted successes chalked in the management of the economy and also indicated improvements in health administration at the nation's leading Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which has made it attractive to patients from other countries in the sub-region. This, he said is a clear departure from the days when patients lay on the floors of the hospital.
Speaking at a rally at the Koforidua Jackson's Park, to round off the party's annual delegates conference yesterday, President Kufuor referred to the Accra - Cape Coast, Accra - Sogakope as well as the Accra - Kumasi roads, currently under construction, which he said were new motorways to make traveling smooth.
He referred to the Bui Dam project, which is about to be started with a Chinese financial support as one of the success stories, as it would help address the energy shortfalls of the country.
He said all these achievements were chalked, whilst upholding the freedoms and human rights of the individual.
Without mentioning his name, President Kufuor threw a jibe at former President Jerry Rawlings, when he asked that if one had the intent of expanding prisons (in obvious reference to the former president's statement at an NDC congress in 2005), how could power come into your hands, saying that that person forgets that his government could use the same instruments against them.
President Kufuor assured party supporters that there was no cause for worry about the number of aspirants, since as far as he was concerned there were only about ten candidates that would be in serious contention, making reference to the past when there were about eight aspirants in queue.
He called on party members not to panic but be patient about the election of a flagbearer, saying that "the race is not for the swift," in apparent reference to the National Democratic Congress (NDC's) election of a flagbearer last month.
He called on members to close their ranks and forge ahead in unity.
He pointed out that the choice was not about who was more knowledgeable or better resourced.
Rather, the search was for a leader who appreciated the party's time-tested values and traditions, could hold the party together and has the humility to hold himself accountable to the party and the nation.
"We must remember that parties by themselves do not choose a President. It takes the nation at large to do that. That is why we must look for the person who is acceptable to a sizeable portion, indeed majority of the citizenry".
Continuing the President advised delegates not to give in to negative propaganda, to create a gap between them and the Government.
"Everything is going for us. We cannot give in to complaints and cynicism when the fruits of our labour are maturing and are ready for harvest."
They should therefore remain steadfast, work hard and continue to sacrifice to put Ghana in the ranks of advancing nations of the world.
President Kufuor was addressing an annual delegates conference of the party held at the EREDEC Hotel in Koforidua on Saturday.
Held under the theme: "Moving Forward in Unity", it provided the chance for the party to evaluate its performance and chart a pragmatic course to present itself to the electorate with a united front.
More than 2000 delegates from all the 230 constituencies in the country attended. There were also representatives from the party's overseas branches in the United Kingdom, Italy, United States of America, Canada and Germany.
President Kufuor said the Government's achievements were tremendous and were something the party members should be proud of and take credit for.
He said for the first in decades, the national reserves have exceeded Two Billion dollars, multi-lateral inflows would also be over 317 million dollars this year as a result of the 100 percent debt forgiveness, with the economy stabilising and inflation verging on single digit.
Besides, evidence of infrastructure development was showing throughout the country and that there had also been the introduction of interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme, the capitation grant, National Youth Employment Placement Programme and the Venture Capital among others.
"Let us be telling our success story to the world. Nobody can tell it better than ourselves."
President Kufuor however, reminded them that they could ruin things for themselves, if they did not hold in check certain negative tendencies, citing for example, the many complaints about the activities of party members aspiring to be flagbearers.
He said, in a benign manner, he has monitored the movements of Ministers with presidential ambitions, while keeping close watch on their respective ministries to ensure that they performed the duties expected of them.
He declared that none of them would be allowed to wreck the party's chances to retain power in the year 2008.
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Chairman of the National Planning Commission and a stalwart of the party, said the most important task facing the NPP now was to build up the party's machinery and to get itself battle ready at all levels.
The priority is the message and the machine to keep the party in power, come 2008 and not the Presidency.
He said the rank and file should feel sufficiently enthusiastic and work their hearts out.
Mr Mensah said it was regrettable that, the aspirants have not heeded the advice, not to rush into campaigning.
There were fraternal messages from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Convention (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP), Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP).
