Decent campaign language will win Election 2004 - Chiefs

Bunkpurugu (N/R), Aug. 28, GNA - Chiefs in the newly-created Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District in the Northern Region have reminded politicians that they stand to lose the December general election if they resort to insults and attacks as the means to win the sympathy of the electorate. The chiefs said: "You don't win people to your side by abusing or beating them up. You have to make friends with them and persuade them to your way of thinking." This was contained in a speech read for them by Yunyoo-Rana, Yamyia Toka Daudu, Paramount Chief of Yunyoo Traditional Area, at the inauguration of the District at Bunkpurugu on Friday. The District, which was separated from the East Mamprusi District, is among four newly created ones, bringing to 18 the number of districts now in the Northern Region. The Yunyoo-Rana appealed to politicians to carry out their campaign messages with decorum and civility to enable the electorate to make informed decisions on their choice of the party to vote for. He said: "Though we should be politically active, we should not be party fanatics to the extent that we lose sight of nationality and compromise development for ideological differences. Politics should not divide us." More POT/GA

NPOL 08 Politics Inauguration District 2 Bunkpurugu (NR)

Yunyoo-Rana Daudu advised people in the area to avoid tribal and clan sentiments and pool their resources to develop the district, saying: "Ethnicity should not divide us." He said: "It is unwise to come together to fight for something good and turn round to quarrel over it and destroy it." He urged the people to sustain the prevailing peace in the area to attract investors for rapid development. The Yunyoo-Rana commended the government for creating the district and appealed to the government to improve roads, health and water facilities and education infrastructure for the smooth take-off of the district. President John Agyekum Kufuor whose inaugural speech was read on his behalf said the new Local Government system sought to place power in the hands of the people and to ensure their genuine representation and participation in the decision-making process. He said most communities in the country were confronted with the lack of potable water and poor sanitation and urged the district assemblies to promote good sanitation in their areas. The President also advised the districts to acquire land properly to serve as land banks to enable the assemblies to plan adequately for present and future investment projects. He tasked the assemblies to liaise with chiefs and other custodians of land to acquire substantial land and prepare proper layouts for the benefit of investors. The assemblies should also work in close collaboration with the chiefs, decentralised agencies, particularly the Town and Country Planning Department for sanity to prevail. The Bimoba Youth Association appealed to professionals to accept posting to the area to help contribute to the development and progress of the district. A 38-member assembly with Mr Siat Kanturib as the Presiding Member was sworn into office. 28 Aug. 04