Grand Coalition launch manifesto in Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga, Nov. 7, GNA - The Presidential Candidate of the Grand Coalition, Dr Edward Mahama on Tuesday said the Government of the Coalition was offer free compulsory education at the basic level to equip the youth with basic skills for the accelerated development of the country.

Dr Mahama, who was addressing a rally to launch the Grand Coalition's Manifesto in Bolgatanga, said farmers would be provided with the necessary assistance and encouraged to increase production of food and cash crops for local consumption and export.

He said the economic policy of the coalition would be based on domestication and the tapping of the full creative potentials of the youth by offering them employment.

Dr Mahama explained that the People's National Convention's (PNC) support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2000 Elections was to get the National Democratic Congress (NDC) out and was not a sell out. Mr Danny Ofori-Atta, Vice Presidential Candidate, the Coalition would lead Ghanaians out of economic bondage and protect workers, whom, he said, had no power at the moment.

Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, Second National Vice-Chairman of the Grand Coalition, described Dr Mahama as the "President in waiting" for 2005. He said the Coalition chose to launch its manifesto in Bolgatanga not by accident, but because Bolgatanga was the nerve centre of PNC. He urged the electorate to return David Apasera, the incumbent Member of Parliament to Parliament "whether he is on his feet campaigning or in his hospital bed".

Professor Yakubu Saaka, a Representative of Parliamentary Candidates, said the Coalition was fielding more than 160 Candidates with the PNC alone presenting over 100.

The Grand Coalition comprises the People's National Convention (PNC), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere (EGLE).