Mass defection into NPP in Effutu Constituency

Winneba (C/R), Nov 12, GNA - Mass defection from the opposition parties in the Effutu constituency to join the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an evidence that the party had become attractive and trusted by the people in the area.

Mr Kofi Taylor, Chairman of the Effutu Constituency branch of the party who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Winneba-Junction on Sunday, attributed the trust and confidence in the party to hard work and unity of purpose.

He said the effective measures and strategies put in place by the executives since 2004 had won "good reputation" for the NPP. Mr Taylor stated that the successes had been chalked as a result of teamwork and cordial relations between the Member of Parliament, Mr Samuel Owusu Adjei who is also the Minister of Public Sector Reform, Mr Solomon Quarshie Abbam Quaye, District Chief Executive and the constituency executives of the party.

The Chairman disclosed that every week not less than 20 people from the opposition parties joined the NPP and collect cards to become full members.

Mr Taylor stressed that the three-time former Chairman of the NDC for Effutu, Opanyin Kofi Afadzie, had joined the NPP, adding that, the NPP was dynamic and flamboyant in the area.

The Chairman said the party had elevated Opanyin Afadzie to the position of member of the council of elders because of the political maturity he had exhibited since he joined three years ago. He said there was the possibility that the party would win the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, citing the capitation grant, school feeding programme, the Health Insurance Scheme and the free supply of exercise books to pupils and students as some of the achievements that had impressed the people.

The Chairman said that the government had approved the construction of a cold store; wharf and a Central Hospital in the area while it would construct and tar roads in the constituency to improve the living standards of the people.

He praised the co-operation between the MP, DCE and party members, adding that, this had spur the members of the NPP on to work hard to explain government policies and programmes to the people. The Chairman said the NPP was not perturbed about criticisms from the biggest minority party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that there were too many aspirants vying for the Presidential slot

He dismissed the notion that the NPP would be divided because of the number of contestants, adding that, nobody would pay 250 million to file nomination papers and break away from the party of he loses the election.

Mr Taylor called on supporters of the aspirants to be cautious and refrain from insulting, hatred, acrimony and character assassination in their campaign to enable the party to remain united and solid after the December 22 historic national congress.