Use of state vehicles for private funerals & parties condemed

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the New Patriotic Party NPP has called for a legislation to regulate the use of state vehicles and other properties to ensure that the vehicles are not used for private purposes.

The group was reacting to what they describe as the misuse of government vehicles by certain public officers because it has the potential of greatly denting the image of government.

The chairman of the KNUST branch of the party, Kofi Asante who is also a lecturer at the industrial art department of KNUST said government officials are seen using state vehicles indiscriminately at funerals, parties and what he termed as "irrelevant" functions.

Mr. Asante called on the leadership of the party to take steps to address the issue so that the issue is not used against the party in the 2004 general elections. What is more worrying to the branch chairman is the double standards being exhibited by the party?s leaders. "It is pathetic to see persons who criticized the former government officials on the misuse of cars also guilty of this same conduct".

Members of the branch are also against levies being imposed on party positions in some constituencies, since it contravenes the party?s constitutional provisions. The chairman cautioned that if steps were not taken to address this development, the well to do among them who do not have the party?s welfare at heart would hijack the party.

The Women?s Organizer, Comfort Ankamah said the activities of the women and children?s ministry are not being felt in the region. She mentioned that women in the region have not benefited from the women?s fund.

The youth organizer Amofa Agyepong also urged the government to take a second look at the exorbitant fees being charged by the country?s universities and polytechnics authorities.