No divide and rule tactics- Nana Akufo Addo

Debiso (W/R), May 5, GNA- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic party (NPP), has said that the party does not and do not intend to apply the tactics of divide and rule in its campaigning.

"Rather, the NPP is made up of people from different backgrounds without religious, tribal, geographical or any other consideration, saying, "we are all one people".

Nana Akufo Addo said this at Essam-Debiso in the Bia district of the Western region yesterday at the beginning of a five-day tour of the region to introduce himself to the electorate.

Nana Addo's comments was a reaction to a local radio announcement made prior to his arrival at Essam-Debiso in the Bia district of the Western region that Muslims were not allowed to attend the rally organized by NPP, which was going to be addressed by Nana Akufo Addo yesterday.

He expressed his regretted that "there are some people, who are beating war drums that if their parties do not win, Ghana would become like Kenya, adding, "voting is an expression of one's intentions and not a recipe for war".

He said it was about time politics of division, deceit and lies was discarded to pave way for transparency.

Nana Akufo Addo said violence has no place in the country especially with the peace being enjoyed under the NPP which should be sustained, saying, "anybody who will preach violence has nothing good to offer the nation".

The tour would take him to Juabeso, Sefwi Wiawso, Akontombra, Suaman, Amenfi West and Central, Jomoro and Ellembelle constituencies. He would also attend the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) of NPP programme at Takoradi Polytechnic and round off the trip with a visit to Evalue Gwira constituency.

Nana Ado would meet the chiefs, queenmothers and opinion leaders in the constituencies and also attend durbars.

He reminded the people to register when the voters register is opened to enable them to exercise their franchise, adding that, he would build upon the solid foundation laid by President John Agyekum Kufuor. Mr Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the NPP, said the party is not selective in sharing development projects and that the people should not listen to those who have been peddling lies about NPP. He pleaded with the people to change the voting pattern this time and join the winning team.

Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, a leading member of the party said in the elections 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004, the people in the area did not vote for the NPP and questioned whether the NPP had wronged them. He said President Kufuor and the NPP government had increased the price of cocoa four times and that it was time for them to change. Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western regional Minister, said a lot of cocoa was produced from the region yet the roads were very bad and government has taken upon itself to rehabilitate it, adding that, 18 kilometres of roads in the district would be tarred before the elections in December 2008 in addition to the Essam-Debiso to Osei Kojokrom road. He said some towns including Adabokrom, Kukuoso, Kaase and Yaw Matwa would be hooked to the national electricity grid before the 2008 elections.