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NPP has lived up to its promise to the electorate - Vice
President Mahama
Zuarungu, Nov. 3, Ghanadot/GNA
- Without any shred of doubt, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Government, has lived up to its promise to reduce poverty
and improve access to good health and education, Vice
President Alhaji Aliu Mahama declared on Saturday.
“After nearly eight years in office, the Kufuor
administration has proved to Ghanaians what positive change
means in reality,” said Vice President Mahama when
addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Zuarungu
Traditional Area in the Upper East Region to climax this
year's "Ndaakoya" Festival celebrations.
He said some of the achievements were new and improved
schools, rehabilitated and new roads, hospitals, health
centres, improved health delivery system, and a stable
economy.
Others were the on-going extension of electricity to
communities in the Zuarungu Traditional Area, and
improvement of roads within Zuarungu Township.
Vice President Mahama announced that Parliament had approved
a 12-million-dollar loan facility from Saudi Arabia for the
upgrading of Bolgatanga Central Hospital to the status of a
standard referral hospital.
He introduced Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Vice Presidential
Candidate for Election 2008 and Madam Mercy Alima Musah, NPP
Parliamentary Candidate for Bolgatanga Central Constituency
to the people.
Vice President Mahama urged them to retain the NPP in power
to continue to enjoy the prevailing freedom and prosperity.
However, he expressed concern about reported instances of
violence during the electioneering campaign in some parts of
the country, and appealed to the people in the area to shun
violence and help make this year's elections free and fair.
Dr Bawumia, said bridging the development gap between the
North and South had been a long-time passion and was the
major reason he agreed to partner Nana Addo Dankwa
Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential Candidate.
He urged the people to vote massively for the NPP on
December 7, to enable the Government bring the much-needed
jobs that would reduce poverty and improve their living
standards.
Naba Charles Ayamga, Paramount Chief of Zuarungu Traditional
Area, said it was necessary to disabuse the minds of those
who perceived festivals as occasions for only merry-making,
that the theme for this year's celebration was chosen.
It was under the theme, "Twelve Years of Ndaakoya: Its
Relevance to Development in Zuarungu Traditional Area."
He explained that in addition to giving thanks to God and
their ancestors for a fruitful farming season, Ndaakoya was
also to rally sons and daughters of the area around to
promote unity and stability, essential prerequisites to
socio-economic development.
Naba Ayamga said in addition, proceeds realised from
contributions during the festival were utilized for the
improvement of social services in the community.
He commended Government for providing the area with numerous
development projects and cited the extension of electricity,
establishment of a police station, provision of a health
centre, construction of a bridge and primary school at
Zuarungu-Moshie, and re-establishment of Zuarungu Senior
High School with boarding facilities.
Naba Ayamga acknowledged the immense contributions to the
development of the traditional area by managements of Rotary
Club, Action Aid Ghana, CENSUDI, Single Mothers Association
and other NGO's.
Vice President Mahama later addressed an NPP rally at
Bolgatanga Jubilee Park and introduced Dr Bawumia to the
crowd.
He said Government believed in the promotion of education as
a tool for poverty reduction and this had been demonstrated
in the upgrading and expansion of facilities at Bolgatanga,
Bawku, Navrongo and Zebilla Senior High Schools.
Vice President Mahama urged the electorate in the Region to
vote massively for the NPP on December 7, to enable the next
government continued with the area's developmental agenda.
Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister, urged
supporters of the Party to be tolerant even in the face of
provocation from their political opponents.
“Our concern should be a violence-free election and a
resounding victory for the NPP, “he stressed.
Vice President Mahama and his entourage paid a courtesy call
on Bolga-Naba, Martin Abilba III, who expressed appreciation
for the visit.
GNA
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