The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is poised to recapture power in 2004 elections. The party is currently undergoing some re-organisation to prepare it for the next polls. The party’s presidential candidate in the last elections, Professor John Atta Mills told supporters of the party in Ho, that the NDC is committed to moving the country forward, adding that after the re-organisation process, the NDC will be in a position to win the next general elections.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Asogli Traditional Council (ATC) at Ho, he said the party was still on the ground and would implement the directives and suggestions of supporters to move it forward.
Prof Mills, who was the former Vice-President, said he was in the region to thank the people for voting massively for him in the last Presidential elections.
He urged supporters of the party to remain united as "a loving family" notwithstanding, disagreements, which might emerge at certain stages in the reorganisation process.
Prof Mills said party officials would be visiting the region to solicit for support in tackling the task ahead.
Mistakes and experiences were learning processes in life, he observed and said they are meant to encourage and develop the individual.
Mr Steve Akorli, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho-East and former Acting Minister for Roads and Transport, said the contract for the Ho town roads were properly designed and documented which did not require any modifications.
He said the government's claim that the roads were being redesigned was, therefore, a ploy to abandon the project for political reasons.
Mr Akorli said the NDC government had paid the contractors executing the projects two out of the three instalments and that the work had stopped because the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government failed to honour the payment of the third instalment.
He said the portion of the project being executed by Messrs Bilfinger Berger cost 3.3 billion cedis while that of Messrs Wayss and Freytag cost 5.5 billion cedis and 1.4 million Euros and were approved by Parliament and awarded in March 2000.
Mr Akorli stated his preparedness for a public debate with the Minister of Roads and Highways on the Ho Township and other roads to enable the people know what the situation was really like.
Togbe Afele II, a Senior Divisional Chief, on behalf of his colleagues advised political parties not to engage in conflicts, which might destabilise the peace, unity and progress of the country.
He thanked Prof Mills and his entourage for the visit and requested for the designs of the Ho roads for their study.
In another development, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Chairman of the Media Committee of the NDC on Wednesday said the party would remain formidable inspite of the intimidation and harassment of its members by agents of the government.
Addressing a public forum at Ho, he said nothing could destroy the party since its strength resides with the electorate and quoted an Akan proverb that translates as "if you kill a thousand, a thousand will come."
Spio-Garbrah called on the National Media Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association, the Diplomatic Corps and all democratic forces in the country to investigate attempts to gag the NDC by denying it access to the Volta Star Radio (VSR) at Ho.
