Vote for a Party more committed to the People's Welfare

Bawku, Nov 18, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged Ghanaians to examine critically and vote for a party that would be more committed to the well being of the people. He said this on Sunday during his visit to Garu-Tempane, Pusiga and Bawku Constituencies in the Upper East Region where he addressed separate rallies.

He stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government preached and practiced property owning democracy, by which some few people enjoy at the expense of the masses that put them in positions. He explained that the NDC when voted into power would create prosperity for all Ghanaians irrespective of one's political affiliation, ethnicity and social background.

"Everybody knows Ghanaians are suffering and there is the need for a change, so Ghanaians should vote the NDC to power to redeem them from their plight," he emphasized.

Professor Mills explained that under the current government, majority of the people, especially the youth were jobless and attributed this to the system of education being implemented. "Most of the youth are unable to go beyond Junior High School level," he noted.

He indicated that under his administration the youth would be empowered with technical and vocational skills, through the establishment of technical and vocational training institutes, in each of the district capitals of the country. He said after their training the graduands would be assisted with financial support to establish their own businesses to enable them become self-employed so that they can in turn provide employment for others.

Professor Mills indicated that the NDC government when given the nod would establish sheanut industries in the three northern regions, which would provide several tonnes of shea-butter for local consumption and export, and that woman who picked sheanuts for processing would also be provided with protective clothes to protect them from snakebites. He noted that women would also be assisted financially to undertake economically viable ventures to support their upkeep and their families.

Professor Mills said farmers would be trained through extension officers and provided with modern agricultural implements and farm inputs, and that markets would be made available for the farm produces. "What Ghanaian farmers lack is modernized agriculture implements, farming inputs and technical advice, which the NDC would provide when elected," he stressed.

On Ghana's oil discovery, Professor Mills explained that under his administration its benefits would be shared equitably and fairly, and indicated that monies accruing from the oil would be used to provide social and infrastructural services including more roads, hospitals and schools among others.

Professor Mills urged the electorate to vote for the NDC to transform the economy to the benefit of Ghanaians, and appealed to all stakeholders involved in conducting the elections to be extra vigilant to ensure that the exercise was conducted in a transparent manner. He stressed the need for peaceful election and said Ghana was above all sectional interests, and urged Ghanaians to help maintain peace and unity.

Professor Mills also visited some of the traditional authorities in the region including Naba Martin Abilba III, Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Bawku Naba Azoka Abugrago II, Paramount Chief of Bawku Traditional Area and Naba Ibrahim Apakwe-Akutu, chief of Pusiga. They all prayed for him and wish him successes in all his endeavours.