Unity critical for sustaining NPP in power, says Kyerematen

Kumasi, Nov 15, GNA - Mr Allan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives (PSI), has reminded supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the critical element for sustaining the Party in power was for them to stand together. "It is, therefore, important that we reinforce our bond of unity and fight as a united Party".

Mr Kyerematen was speaking at a dinner organised by the Ashanti Regional branch of the NPP for those who contested the Party's constituency primaries in the Region at the Rexmar Hotel in Kumasi at the weekend.

The aim was to help to bring both winners and losers at the primaries together to enable the losers to put behind them the sense of loss, disappointment and the bitterness that characterised the election of the Party's Parliamentary Candidates.

He told them that although the NPP was confident of winning Election 2004, "we do not want the level of confidence to be transformed into complacency.

"We have to recommit ourselves to the central objective of the battle ahead".

The Minister said the NPP was asking for a second term of office on the basis of its record, pointing out that it had laid down a solid foundation that must be built on for accelerated national development. Mr Fredrick Fredua Antoh, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Party, said in as much as it was unpleasant to lose any contest it was important for all in the interest of the NPP to accept to work to retain it in power.

"Let us remember that we have a strong tradition and believe in democracy and, therefore, we have to revisit the spirit with which we went into battle in 2000 so that we achieve the target of winning at least 96 per cent of the popular votes in the Region, come December 7."

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, the Ashanti Regional Minister, said both winners and losers at the constituency primaries had crucial roles to play to give the NPP resounding victory in the upcoming general election.