Kufuor in Upper West soliciting votes

Friday 2nd June, 2000 Residents demonstrate against closer of clinic

Some residents of Tamale have demonstrated against the continued closure of Shekhinah Clinic in Tamale, which is well known for its free services to the destitute.

The demonstrators, describing themselves as concerned citizens of Choggu marched to the office of the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Seidu Iddi to present a petition. They demanded among other things, government's intervention to ensure the re-opening of the clinic. The clinic was closed over the payment of duty on medical items donated by its foreign partners. The National Revenue Secretariat (NRS) later withdrew a waiver it enjoyed leading to a public outcry against that measure. The NRS restored the waiver but requested the Management of the Clinic to apply directly and not through the Catholic Secretariat. Receiving the petition Alhaji Iddi said he was surprise about the demonstration because as far as he was aware the continued closure of the clinic has nothing to do with payment of import duty. He said all issues concerning the clearance of two oxygen concentrators from the port, which caused the closure, have been resolved.

Alhaji Iddi said the NRS has notified Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and the Value Added Tax Secretariat to allow Dr David Abdulai, Proprietor of the clinic to clear all medical consignments on written permission before his request for permanent tax exemptions is regularized. He said the management of the clinic has explained that it has not been re-opened because of shortage of some essential drugs. The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. San Nasamu Asabigi and Tamale Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Mohammed Alhassan Adams also explained efforts being made to ensure that normal services at the clinic resumes. Mr. Adams Mohammed, spokesman for the demonstrators, thanked the Regional Minister for his explanation and apologized for the demonstration, which he admitted, was unnecessary.

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Mills calls for decent electioneering

The Vice President John Evans Atta Mills has called for the use of decent language in electioneering campaign in order to sustain the peace and stability the country currently enjoys.

Peace and stability is crucial in the nation's investment drive, he said, adding that no investor would invest in a nation of rancor and disunity. Prof Mills was addressing a rally in the Okaikoi South constituency in Accra, where he also introduced the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominee for the parliamentary elections, Mrs. Mercy Nee Djan, to the party's supporters. He debunked speculations that the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill passed in Parliament sought to increase the rate to 25 per cent. The increase he said was 2.5 per cent and that it would be used to fund education.

Prof Mills also re-echoed the need for Ghanaians to patronize locally produced goods, in order to take the pressure off the demand for major foreign currencies and strengthen the cedi. He reaffirmed government's commitment to address the economic difficulties, which he said, were as a result of unrealistic prices for the country's major export commodities. He gave said government has instituted policy measures to address the unemployment problem. Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the party called for unity among the rank and file for development and urged activists to embark on house-to-house education to explain government's development policies to the people. Mrs. Nee Djan pledged her dedication and total commitment to the welfare of the entire constituency when voted to power.

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Residents of Half Assini demonstrate in support of Rawlings

Some residents of Half Assini in the Western Region have demonstrated in support of President Jerry John Rawlings for calling Mr. Alex Asamoah, Jomoro Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to order.

The demonstrators numbering about 500 went through the principal streets of the town amidst singing and dancing to the tune of brass band music. They carried placards some of which read, "Thank you, President Rawlings", "Asamoah, Efutu people need you, go home", and "Jomoro is now saved".

Addressing the demonstrators, Mr. Charles K, Ansah, Senior Safohene of the Town expressed their appreciation for the timely intervention by President Rawlings. The President had in a statement published in the May 20 edition of the "Daily Graphic" removed Mr. Asamoah from the chairmanship and rebuked the Western Regional Executives of the NDC and the security agencies for their ineffectiveness in dealing with him. The demonstration was held without Police permit.

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Kufuor in Upper West soliciting votes

The New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, has begun a six-day campaigning tour of the Upper West Region in preparation for this year's elections.

Addressing separate rallies at Kaleo, Sankana, Jirapa, Babile and Lawra, Mr. Kufuor attributed the current economic crises facing the country to lack of foresight on the part of the ruling party in managing the country's resources. He, therefore, urged the electorate to vote for the NPP because it has the right human resources to make the economy buoyant. "We have the people who are capable of redeeming this nation from the present mess. Vote for us and we shall not disappoint you," he emphasized.” An NPP government, Mr. Kufuor said, would assist farmers with credit facilities at lower interest rates to expand and diversify agricultural production and lessen over-dependence on the importation of agricultural produce.

Mr. Kufuor said the party would expand existing farm institutes and establish new ones to educate farmers and transfer new technologies to them. This, he said, would assist farmers to increase production for the country to attain food self-sufficiency. He advised Ghanaians to regard change of governments through the ballot box as most legitimate, adding that it makes them more responsible, committed and accountable to the people. Dr. Wayo Seini, Second National Vice-chairman of the NPP, asked Ghanaians and the media, in particular, to discourage tribal politics because it could create disunity and chaos. He said when the NPP comes to power, it will revolutionize agriculture through the provision of irrigation schemes and mechanized services to boost food and cash crop production.