Kufuor says elections will be free and fair

Penyi, Sept 29, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said the December elections could only be credible when the voters exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner without intimidation. He, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to join the leadership of the various political parties in their pledge to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election.

"This is necessary to guarantee true democracy and stability in our country," he said.

President Kufuor made the call when addressing a durbar of Chiefs and People of Penyi Traditional Area at Penyi in the Ketu District on the first day of his three-day official tour of the Volta Region. He also inaugurated a 267-million cedis six-unit classroom block, an office, store and a three-seat water closet for the Arthur-Tay AME Zion Primary School in the town.

President Kufuor pledged the government's determination to build upon the foundation it had laid for the country's socio-economic development as well as the achievements made since 2001.

President Kufuor asked voters in the region to move along with the 70 per cent of Ghanaian voters prepared to return the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to power.

"President Kufuor would continue to provide them basic needs and amenities when they vote for the credible Parliamentarians who could have cordial relationship with the government in power," he said. "Support and trust the government under President Kufuor and the Volta Region would have a fair share of socio-economic development," he said. President Kufuor therefore asked the voters to ensure their votes were transmitted into vision for the development of the region. Fiaga Torgbui Dadzie IV, Regent of the Penyi Traditional Area said the people had followed with keen interest and deep appreciation the strenuous efforts of the government to improve the living standards of rural dwellers.

"We wholeheartedly support the NPP government's innovative and pragmatic programmes, strategies and special initiatives which are geared towards deepening our young democracy, ensuring good governance, rule of law, respect for human rights probity and accountability that had made life bearable for the Ghanaian".

Torgbui Dadzie appealed to the government to upgrade their Postal Agency into a Post Office, post more police personnel to the town, facilitate the construction of drains in the town and the provision of a gari-processing factory for the people.