Vice Presidents denounce indiscipline among party activists

Prang (Brong Ahafo) -- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend, denounced acts of indiscipline among party activists and asked them to behave in conformity to the ideals and aspirations of good governance and rule of law.

He said, "It is heart breaking to recount that even within party circles there are both inter and intra party indiscipline".

It is not uncommon to see some party faithfuls and their supporters abandon laid down democratic procedures and resort to violence, which undermine the well being of the parties, the Vice President added.

This was contained in an address read for him by Mr Yaw Adjei Duffuor, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, at a durbar of chiefs and people of Prang Traditional Area to mark the celebration of Nkyifie Yam festival at Prang in Brong Ahafo.

Alhaji Mahama reiterated that the government believed in the rule of law and democratic governance and would not tolerate those who could not operate under democratic principles.

"I would like to make it abundantly clear that our government believes in the rule of law and democratic governance. Whoever thinks he would not be able to operate under these democratic principles is at liberty to leave the party," he said.

The Vice President expressed regret that in some instances respectable members of some parties behaved and strived to justify their actions by using exuberant party youth to create panic among other members.

It will not be in the interest of any party and for that matter government to encourage party activists who are not ready to comport themselves and behave in conformity to the ideals and aspirations of good governance and within the confines of the rule of law, he cautioned.

Alhaji Mahama urged supporters and members of political parties to be forthright and un-compromising over conflict situations and must encourage constant dialogue with adversaries over critical issues.

The Vice president called on traditional rulers, party functionaries, religious leaders, workers, drivers, teachers, students, parents and opinion leaders to get involved in the crusade to bring indiscipline in the society under control.

"If we all can troll our emotions amidst these endowments then Ghana can go places," he noted.

Alhaji Mahama said the government, in its desire to provide water for rural and small urban communities in the Atebubu district, in conjunction with the European Union started the Atebubu Small Township Water System in March this year, at a cost of 10 billion cedis.

He expressed the hope that the project, which would be commissioned soon, would relegate the hitherto water shortages at Atebubu and environs to an end.

The Vice President said 103 boreholes would also be drilled in 70 communities throughout the district at a total cost of about 4.4 billion cedis.

As I speak now, feasibility studies are being carried out to locate drilling sites where it is hoped water could be available, he said.

Projects approved for the Prang area include the 2.5 billion cedis Prang Water project, construction of 2 No 3 - unit classroom block, office and store at Prang L/A Primary and Danufawa L/A Primary schools each at a cost of 175 million cedis, 2 No 20 hole septic toilets at Prang west and east and a 2.5 billion cedis new market.

He said the Prang-Kintampo road, "which has been negatively impacting on smooth socio-economic activities", had also been awarded on contract for re-gravelling and spot filling.

The Vice President said in order to create jobs for the youth the government was making efforts to construct small irrigation schemes at Konkrompe and Watro for vegetable production.

He recounted that the government intervention to reduce poverty in the rural areas, including the Emergency Social relief Programme (ESRP), the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) and the Presidential Initiative on Industrial Cassava Cultivation had started yielding positive results.

The Vice President mentioned that under the ERSP 300 million cedis had been released to women engaged in food crops purchase and sales and one billion cedis allocated to each of the 110 districts from funds accruing from the HIPC Initiative.

"This is ample proof of our government's commitment to turn things around for the betterment of our dear country. Besides it has also debunked the fears of the doubting Thomases that the benefits of the HIPC Initiative to the country were only a farce".

Nana Kwadwo Nyarko 111, Omanhene of Prang Traditional Area appealed to the government to make strenuous efforts to help remove alien herdsmen and their cattle, which had been destroying farms, from the area.

He noted the low level of education in the area and appealed to resident and non-resident citizens, NGOs, donor agencies, individuals, boards and corporations to contribute generously to an educational endowment fund, which was launched at the durbar.

Nana Nyarko appealed to the people to support efforts being made to eliminate bushfires in the area and warned that culprits would be severely sanctioned. He urged the people to avoid unsanitary conditions, which he said affected their health.

The Omanhene called for the creation of a separate Abease-Prang-Yeji district and the restoration of Prang to its former status as a district capital to "prevent the ancient town from becoming increasingly deprived".

He called on Ghana Telecom to expedite action on the telephone system for Prang as lack of the facility was affecting socio-economic activities.

Nana Wiafe Akenten 111, Offinsohene, who represented Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11 advised District Chief Executives to collaborate with traditional authorities for the speedy and sustained development of their areas.

The Omanhene presented two million cedis on behalf of the Asantehene towards the Prang Educational Endowment Fund and drinks for the festival.