Previous govts' accumulated NDC's debt -Mills

Donkorkrom (E/R), Oct. 20, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Elections 2004, has said the 41 trillion cedis debt left by the erstwhile NDC government included those incurred by previous governments.

These were the governments of Dr Kwame Nkrumah; Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia and General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and they used the money to finance projects such as such as the Akosombo Dam, Tema Motorway, schools, roads and hospitals.

Prof Mills was a addressing a durbar at Donkorkrom as part of his three-day visit to the Afram Plains District.

He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP), within its 34 months' rule, has incurred a debt of 22 trillion cedis.

"Despite this huge debt there is suffering and hardship among the people. Therefore, there should be a change of government in the forthcoming elections to improve the standard of living of the people." Prof Mills said the NPP government wants to increase VAT by two-and-a-half per cent and this would yield over 500 billion cedis to finance the National Health Insurance Scheme.

"The Government will divert those funds after six months to pay for some of its debts and force the registered people to pay for their premium."

He said the Government should publish the report of the commission of enquiry that investigated the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, its former Chief Executive, to bring to the fore "who has caused financial loss to the state for prosecution". The MP for Afram Plains North, Mr Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu, said he had spent 20 million cedis out of his share of the Common Fund on the Donkorkrom pipe borne water system and assisted to construct bore holes for 22 communities.

He has donated 22 computers and accessories to Donkorkrom Agricultural Science Secondary School.

The Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Fred Ohene Kena said the government had failed the nation and appealed to party supporters to register massively when the voters' registration exercise was re-opened. Prof Mills addressed similar durbars at Samanhyia, Kwaekese, Amankwaakrom and Mem-chenfre.