NDC will be selfless - Mahama

Sankore (B/A) July 16, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday said its ministers would be selfless in dealing with the people and would set its priorities right. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, Running Mate of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flagbearer of the NDC said at Sankore in Brong Ahafo Region that, selflessness would be giving meaning to the party's philosophy of social democracy.

Mr. Mahama who is on a 10-day tour of the region said the NDC would always be reminded of what Prof. Mills had said that "the comfort of leadership must be subordinated to the welfare of the people". This was the core message of Mr. Mahama when he addressed mini rallies at Sankore, Acherensua, Atronie, Kenyasi One and Two, Goaso and Hwidiem.

He said the NDC would not do anything that would mar this year's elections "because we are winning and it is only those who are staring at defeat who would want the disruption of the election. "As we have always maintained, we would not condemn the NPP government for doing nothing, as they had condemn the NDC government for doing nothing.

"The NDC would not abrogate or cancel the National Health Insurance Scheme, the National Youth Employment Programme, School Feeding Programme but would review and expand them, so that the problems that the policies are going through would be avoided". Mr. Mahama said the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) was a constitutional obligation that every government had to undertake and the NDC would make the FCUBE absolutely free and that anything that is supposed to be free must be so.

He said the NHIS was "stinking" because it was engulfed in corruption and that the district health insurance scheme was in confusion as it seemed treating a patient from one district in another district was a problem.

"If the NPP had listened to us during the debate on the national health insurance policy, the scheme would not have found it self in a mess and that was why the NDC begun the project on a pilot basis so that it could be replicated nationally without any hiccups". Mr Mahama said for Mr. Samuel Odoi Sikes, former NPP National Chairman, to have said that this year's elections would be tough was an indication of NPP's failure, and that if the NPP had delivered on all the promises it made to Ghanaians there would be need for tough elections.

Mr. Mahama appealed to the electorate to ensure that this year's elections would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere to ensure the nation's accelerated development.

Those accompanying Mr. Mahama on the trip are Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Organiser and Ms. Hanna Tetteh, Communications Director.

Mr. Mahama also introduced the parliamentary candidates of the various constituencies to the people and urged them to vote for them and Prof. Mills.