Recruit knowledgeable polling agents - President Rawlings

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday, called on the leadership of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recruit people with electoral knowledge to serve as polling agents for Election 2008.

"We need to recruit sharp, intelligent men and women of integrity as polling agents, train and equip them with the necessary electoral resources and knowledge to police our interest throughout the electoral process," Former President Rawlings stated at a public lecture organised by the Party under the theme "To Set The Records Straight". He expressed reservations about moral integrity of some past polling agents, who abandoned their duty post during the electoral process paving way for manipulation at the polling stations. Former President Rawlings said the qualification criteria should include loyalty to the Party, exhibition of knowledge of electoral rules, integrity of the person and men and women of courage. He therefore urged loyal NDC members to volunteer as polling agents stressing, "My wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings is ready to volunteer as a polling agent on Election Day."

Former President Rawlings urged the media especially television stations to reduce focusing on him but concentrate on the Party's Flag bearer Professor John Evans Atta Mills and his Running Mate, Mr John Dramani Mahama on their campaign tours.

"I don't need media publicity, Prof. Atta Mills deserve all the media attention, he is the man of the moment, ready to continue and serve the nation for a "Better Ghana," policy," Former President Rawlings noted.

He challenged NDC supporters to move to the hamlets across the country to educate the public on the Party's policies, debunk negative propaganda churned out by "our opponents." Former President Rawlings noted that the rank and file of NPP were panicking when they see the masses following our Flag bearer and his running mate.

He commended the military and police personnel for their discipline and challenged them to maintain the high sense of professionalism before, during and after Election 2008. Former President Rawlings explained that disobeying an unlawful order was a duty not only to security personnel but the entire Ghanaian populace, "an unlawful order is a wrong instruction which should be disobeyed."

Dr Tony Aidoo, Former Deputy Minister of Defence urged the electorate to vote the NPP out of power for deceiving the public. Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary (Operations) alleged that the ruling NPP and its Flag bearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had deliberately hidden from Ghanaians some problems that had affected the smooth operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He said "Operation of the NHIS would have been better if the NPP had listened to the NDC who initiated a pilot implementation of the NHIS."

"Problems affecting operation of the NHIS has affected operations and ability of managements of hospitals and other health facilities to procure vital drugs and essentials for delivery of quality healthcare." Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said due to the poor implementation of the NHIS policy, waiting time in hospitals had increased, motivation of health personnel was low and poor working conditions continued to undermine quality health care delivery.