NDC gets the nod for "demo" in Kumasi

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 1 September 2003 - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) now has the nod to embark on the much-awaited "march for survival" in Kumasi tomorrow.

Official party contacts in Kumasi said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) gave the green light at a meeting with party executives in Accra, described as "very cordial." The organizers have given the assurance that they will ensure its peaceful conduct.

The Chronicle source said the party had to go beyond the regional directorate of the Police Service to make sure that after complying with the Public Order Act by giving the required notice the police did not give any more excuses after the march had suffered two postponements previously.

Dubbed "Okafo Didi," tomorrow's march is supposed to be the mother of all demonstrations by the NDC to protest against "harsh economic policies" by the NPP government.

The nine-hour (from 7 am to 4 pm) demonstration which begins from the Post Office Square in Kumasi through the Prempeh Street, Fuller Road, A-Life Traffic Light, Asafo market roundabout and the Roman Hill to the Zongo police station ends with a rally at the Jackson's park.

The Chronicle has also gathered that the demonstration would be led by former President, J.J. Rawlings (founder and father of the party), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (flagbearer), Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah (national chairman of NDC), Dr. Josiah Aryeh (general secretary), Doe Adjaho (minority chief whip) Samuel Ofosu Ampofo (national organizer). Others to be in the frontline will be all ranking members of parliament, including Moses Asaga and former DCE's, Ministers and MP's.

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, who failed in his bid to lead the party in the 2004 elections has reportedly arrived in the country over the weekend to participate in what the NDC describes as "the special event" in Kumasi.

The march, The Chronicle also gathered, would be under the command of the MP for Wenchi West, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah (alias General Mosquito) with Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe as the second in command.

The NDC contact confided in The Chronicle that some NPP followers have lent their support, having realized the harsh policies of the government. But for fear of reprisal, other top NPP supporters would have joined the march to identify with the NDC, the Chronicle was told.

Explaining the basis and justification of the demonstration, the regional secretary of the party, Sly Akakpovie, pointed to 100% cumulative increases in tariffs, hikes in petroleum products, which he said had affected production and cost of goods and services and additional taxes against increased salaries.

He also mentioned the National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS), which, he claimed, was mooted by the NDC for adoption by the NPP. According to him the NHIS is good except that the method of implementation is questionable.

He said although it is good for government to finance healthcare delivery, funding must not be done to overtax the people or discriminate against anybody. "Overall benefits should be fairly and equally shared among Ghanaians," he said.

The party scribe said the NPP government must be told in plain words that it had woefully failed Ghanaians by not fulfilling its electoral promises on the wings of which they gained power.

"We expect the NPP to deliver on their election promises and not engage in self glorification," he said, adding "we want action, so if you promise, you deliver."

Akakpovie said the much touted Zero Tolerance for Corruption is a sham because corruption is still high on the scale and that the government has not made any effort to tackle it.

He called on Ghanaians to be vigilant and demand probity and accountability from the NPP government saying after 46 years of independence "we must go beyond trial and error type of governance."

Akakpovie appealed to all sympathizers and followers of the NDC to comport themselves during the demonstration to make it peaceful.