Stop intimidating NDC supporters - Ato Dadzie

The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Nana Ato Dadzie, has assured supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who, for fear of intimidation, could not vote during December 7 polls that their safety is assured during the December 28 presidential run-off.

He said stringent security measures have been put in place to protect voters from intimidation and urged them to turn out in their numbers to vote for Professor John Atta Mills. Nana Dadzie, who is the Obaatan of Gomoa Ankamu and Apagyahene of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council, was addressing supporters of the party at Ankamu at the weekend.

He said Ghana is practising a multiparty democracy, which enjoins people to belong to parties of their choice and cautioned those who want to force others to vote for a particular party to desist from the practice. Nana Dadzie urged supporters of the party to avoid complacency and work hard to clinch a total victory in the run-off. "We took too many things for granted and that nearly caused our downfall in the December 7 elections; this time, let us avoid those mistakes."

He called on Ghanaians who are yearning for a change to see that change in the replacement of Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings with Professor Atta Mills, who has been tested and passed with distinction. Nana Dadzie said Ghana has reached a stage where we need administrators who can build upon the foundation laid, adding: "our developmental programmes will be disrupted if we vote for a person who knows nothing about the programmes initiated. GRi.../

Minority Parties launch joint campaign for run-off **************************************** Larteh (Eastern Region) 19 December 2000 Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, a founding member of the NPP has advised sympathisers of the NDC not waste their vote by voting for Professor Evans John Atta-Mills the NDC flag bearer in the presidential run-off.

He explained Prof. Mills would not be able to perform his functions effectively since the NPP has majority in Parliament. Mr. Adjetey, immediate past national chairman of the party, was speaking at a joint rally by the NPP and five other minority parties who have declared their support for Mr J.A Kufuor in the run-off on December 28.

However, representatives of the People's National Convention, United Ghana Movement and Great Consolidated People's Party were absent. Mr. Adjetey reminded the electorate that Mr. Kufuor has not yet won the elections as some people are thinking but "will do so on December 28, when the good people of Ghana vote for him".

He said for the past 20 years, the economy of the country has grown from bad to worse, adding that Ghana needs Mr. Kufuor to change her fortunes to save the economy from collapsing . Mr. Adjetey thanked the people of the Akuapem Ridge for voting for the NPP at the December 7 elections. Nana Owusu Sekyere, Eastern Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party advised the electorate not to allow people to use gifts to influence them in their choice of candidate.

Mallam Ahmed Mustapher, Regional Co-ordinator of the National Reform Party (NRP) said "God has written that there is the need for a change of government in Ghana hence the results of the December 7 elections". He said all the political parties opposed to the NDC have decided to come together to support Mr. Kufuor because of the need for a change in the political direction of the country.