Ato Arthur - NPP parliamentary candidate for KEEA

Elmina, Oct 29, GNA - Nana Ato Arthur, the Central Regional Minister, was on Sunday declared the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency by popular acclamation.

The 119 polling station chairmen acclaimed Nana Arthur, who was the sole nominee at the close of nominations, to contest next year's election.

There was jubilation in Elmina following his acclamation as hundreds of supporters and well-wishers from all over the constituency and beyond, sporting 'T' shirts with his photograph embossed at the front and the inscription "Vote Nana Ato Arthur for MP" at the back, accompanied him on a procession through the principal streets of the town.

Later, he addressed a rally to launch his party's campaign in the constituency at the forecourt of the Elmina castle.

Surrounded by two NPP presidential aspirants, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman and Papa Owusu-Ankomah, some MPs and some district chief executives, he pledged to continue to ensure the development of the area when he is voted into parliament.

Nana Arthur, a former District Chief Executive of the area, reiterated the government's determination to enhance socio-economic development for all Ghanaians, stressing that it has done a lot for the country.

He appealed to all members of the party to work hard to ensure that the government retains power in the 2008 elections to continue its good work.

Touching on why he should be voted into parliament Nana Arthur, who stood down for Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Convention's People Party (CPP) during the 2004 elections, enumerated several development projects he initiated first as the DCE and then as the regional minister. He cited his support for education by instituting bursary awards for school children in the area and the refurbishment of some tourist sites in Elmina as some of such projects.

Nana Arthur said the NPP was determined to win the remaining three parliamentary seats in the region including the KEEA.

Paapa Owusu-Ankomah told the crowd that those aspiring for the presidency within the party were not rivals and urged their supporters to desist from acts that would create rivalry or divide the party. He said the government had good plans for the country and they should therefore vote it back into power during the next elections as well as Nana Arthur as the parliamentary candidate.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman also reiterated the need for Ghanaians to vote the NPP back to power and that the "government has kept faith with the people. The least you can do is to also keep faith with it". He especially touched on the economic gains Ghanaians had derived from the rule of the NPP and of the government's intention to create an economic haven for Ghanaians and declared, "We shall crate a Dubai in Ghana".