Kufuor to be returned without a run-off, says Akufo-Addo

Kukurantumi (E/R), Jan 19, GNA - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said there would be no run-off in this year's presidential election since President John Agyekum Kufuor would win a resounding first round victory.

"For the next generation to come NPP will continue to be the dominant political organization to transform Ghana. The NDC now belongs to the past, we are the present and future of Ghana."

Nana Akufo-Addo, the MP for Abuakwa, was addressing the Kukurantumi Zonal Conference of the 45 NPP Polling Station Executives on Sunday, which also marked the launching of the constituency's campaign for the 2004 elections.

He described this year's general elections as very crucial for both the country and the NPP, saying every part of the world, particularly in Africa, are watching to see how the country would consolidate the democratic culture of electing governments through the ballot box. Nana Akufo-Addo reminded them that the 2000 elections were held in a peacefully free and fair atmosphere out of which an opposition party, for the first time in the country's history, beat an incumbent party and urged the electorate to ensure that the same peaceful atmosphere prevailed again this year.

While commending the Polling Station Executives for the good work done to bring the party into government, he stressed that victory for the party this year would greatly depend on their organizational ability to win more votes for the party.

On the proposed creation of 30 more constituencies, including the carving of the Kukurantumi zone into constituency, the Minister remarked that "whether it would be implemented this year or not we should be prepared to fight for more that 140 seats to make the victory more overwhelming this year."

Nana Akufo-Addo said the government was negotiating for two loans of 10.5 million dollars and 5.5 million dollars to solve the water problems facing New Tafo and Kibi.

The East Akyem District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Asihene, enumerated development projects undertaken in each of the communities in the zone by the District Assembly over the past three years. He told them to "feel proud of your party's achievement so far in its three years of governance", saying "the NDC did not do even half of it during its eight-year reign."

Mr Asihene said the Assembly was producing 4,000 mono-desks for the JSS students, which he said, was the first time in ten years. The Abuakwa constituency chairman of the NPP, Mr Douglas Asare, called on the executive members to continue to exhibit a high sense of dedication and sacrifice for the continued victory of the party since they are now enjoying the toils of the forebears of the Danquah-Busia tradition "after 30 years in the political wilderness."

He urged them to step up their campaign and ensure that all eligible voters register when the registration begins in March. The Eastern Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Alecs Agobo, asked them to work hard so that the party could continue to increase its parliamentary seats in the region, adding that the target this year is to raise the party's seats from 18 to 24 out of the 26 seats.

National Reconciliation Commission moves to Ho Ho, Jan 19, GNA - Some 128 petitioners have been listed to appear before the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) sitting in Ho from Tuesday, January 20 to 30.

The hearings are scheduled to take place at the Conference Hall of the Regional House of Chiefs.

Briefing the press on Monday the Public Affairs Officer of the NRC, Mr Mohammed Affum, appealed to the media to cooperate to making the sittings successful and pleaded for balance coverage of proceedings and headlines that reflect what actually takes place.

Mr Affum said where two opposing views have been strongly expressed on an allegation both positions must reflect in the beginning of the story to give the public a balanced view of proceedings in fairness to respondents.

He said comments on issues raised before the Commission after its proceedings are not privileged and therefore actionable in the courts by aggrieved persons.