PNC, NDC to join forces

The People's National Convention (PNC) has assured the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it will collaborate with it to unsent the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in the 2004 elections.

Dr Edward Mahama, the leader and flagbearer of the PNC, gave the assurance at a news conference in Accra on Monday.

He said, "If the NDC's manifesto is in line with that of the PNC, then there is the need to work with them to salvage the interest of the poor Ghanaian."

The news conference was convened by the PNC to throw light on pertinent national issues. Dr Mahama said the PNC is in total disagreement with the pure capitalistic policies being pursued by the NPP government. These, he said include the sale and transfer of viable state assets and unreasonable increase in utility tariffs without a proportionate increase in the salaries and wages of workers.

He said the Nkrumaists position is to provide free education, free medical care, subsidies for farmers and fishermen and water for the majority of the people who are poor. This, he noted, the NPP government had not been able to fulfil since they believe in property owing democracy.

He said even though the PNC supported the NPP in the 2000 election that was only for a change and not an alliance. He explained that the collaboration with the NDC, should not mean his party is fighting the Kufuor's government, but rather on the belief of saving the poor Ghanaian.

The PNC, he said would therefore work with other groups to put pressure on the government to deliver in the interest of the nation. "The people are crying and need to be relieved in their anxiety," he said.

On his part, the Member of Parliament for West Mamprusi, Alhaji Issifu Azumah, said the PNC, being a true Nkrumaist party, is a centre-left party, committed to the provision of social services to the people. The party, he said therefore disagrees with the NPP government's wholesale implementation of IMF and World Bank sponsored policies including HIPC.

The PNC, he said believes in self-reliance in the form of agro-based industrialisation, hence their insistence on subsidies and empowerment of women and youth development. "In view of this the PNC announced for the information of the public that, we stand ready to work together with all parties, groups, organisations and individuals who are centre-left in thought to salvage the Ghanaian economy," he stated.