Shun political activists who will intimidate you - Aliu

Lekpongunor (GAR), Oct. 27, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Tuesday asked the electorate to reject politicians and their supporters who would intimidate them into electing candidates they did not favour. He, however, advised them to choose competent, caring, dedicated and disciplined leaders who would pursue an agenda that improve their welfare, saying the progress of many communities stagnated in the past because of failed leadership.

Vice President Mahama stressed this message when he toured 10 communities in the Dangme West District to address various durbars and inspected development projects.

The communities are Lekpongunor, Dawa, Tsopoli, Ahwiam, Ngmetsokope, Old and New Ningo, Prampram, Dawhenya and Afienya. He said the Kufuor Administration believes in the freedom of association and choice, even when it comes to politics and will, therefore, respect the will of Ghanaians in deciding who should lead them for the next four years.

The Vice President said the Administration would also uphold the use of the thumb in elections as the only legitimate means of changing governments and would consequently step aside should Ghanaians make that decision in the impending polls.

"Who are we to challenge the will of God when it is reflected in the voice of the people?" he asked. " We queued for 30 years before we were voted into office again because we wanted the peace and prosperity of our nation."

Other political parties, the Vice President said, should also learn to respect the will of Ghanaians and have the patience to wait peacefully until they are legitimately chosen.

Vice President said the Administration would not condone any acts to rig the December polls but would rather support the Electoral Commission to conduct clean and peaceful elections. The Government, he said, was appreciative of the gratitude expressed by Ghanaians across the country for the development projects in the areas of education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and others.

"We have not forced anyone to show appreciation but as we travel all around people are excited to see us and they show genuine thankfulness for the good works they have seen in their communities over the past three and half years," he said.

He said President Kufuor had a vision to make Ghana a prosperous nation and was hopeful that he would be given another mandate to complete his positive agenda.

The Vice President inspected a 460 million cedis clinic, built with resources from the HIPC Benefit Fund at Lekpongunor and assured the people that more of such projects would be delivered to improve their quality of life.

He also inspected a block of six classrooms under construction to replace a dilapidated structure of the Ngmetsokope D/A School and the progress of work on the main bridge linking Old and New Ningo. The site engineer assured him that the bridge would be completed by May next year.

He also paid courtesy calls on the paramount chiefs of Old and New Ningo, Nene Osroagbo Djanmah and Nene Gidigago Djangmah III respectively, and encouraged them to be partners with the Government to develop their areas.

The Vice President assured the 10 communities that their respective requests, which included the provision of processing plants for pepper for export, dam to ensure all-season farming, potable water, school structures, premix fuel and financial support for women's activities would be met in due course. 27 Oct. 04