NDC is strong on the ground - MP

Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been assured that the party was still "alive and strong on the ground despite attempts by the NPP (New Patriotic Party) government to destroy it".

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa, gave the assurance at a meeting with the Muslim community at Begoro, to acknowledge their support in returning him to Parliament during the last December elections.

He said the change of government was "a blessing to Ghanaians" and asked the NDC supporters not to be worried about their defeat but to co-operate and assist the present government to develop the country.

The MP said the on-going re-organisation programme of the NDC was on course and, therefore, asked all party supporters to close their ranks to regain power in 2004. He said the NPP agenda to destroy the NDC, was similar to the way the first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the then Conventions Peoples' Party (CPP) were destroyed after the 1966 Coup d'etat, adding, "their plan will not materialise in the present state of the re-awakening of Ghanaians".

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo advised supporters not to retaliate any violence, harassment or provocation by NPP supporters to avoid any breach of peace in the country.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo explained that the 41 trillion cedis debt supposedly left by the NDC government was a cumulative debt incurred since independence and loans contrasted by the PNDC-NDC government to provide viable projects to raise the living standards of Ghanaians.

He was not happy about the deliberate refusal of the NPP government to acknowledge the achievements of the NDC and claimed that within the eight months of the NPP administration, the nation has incurred a national debt of over 5.3 trillion cedis.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo asked Muslims to send their children to school to enable them to become responsible future leaders. He expressed concern about the extravagant lifestyle of some Ghanaians, who refuse to pay the 5,000 cedis school fees for their wards.

The MP asked the people to protect themselves against the HIV/AIDS menace, saying: "The disease is more dreadful and disastrous than the stadium disaster."