allAfrica.com: Ghana: I Will Uproot Drugs, Robbery

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills has promised that his government will deal decisively with the armed robbery and drug menace in the country. He noted that Ghanaians are crying for the return of NDC because they believe it is the only party that can deal with these canker. He said he would never disappoint the people with this confidence that they have in him.

"Atta Mills and NDC government would be sincere, honest and transparent and would redeem the image of Ghana as drug traffic centre. Mills and his government will save Ghana from the scare of armed-robbery and many others," he said.

Addressing a teeming crowd in Accra yesterday, to officially unveil his running mate, Hon. John Dramani Mahama and his campaign for the December elections, Mills said his Presidency would not be regarded as Hollywood coronation.

"I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth and so if I am elected as the president of this nation, I will not regard it as a Hollywood coronation but to regard it as God's given aspiration to serve the people of Ghana to the best of my ability," he said.

Prof. Mills said, having experienced bitter life before in public service; he would serve the ordinary people rather than lavishly spending the little resources to the disadvantage of the majority."I will not indulge in profligate expenditure and will not spend the millions of the nation lavishly," he said. According to him, the time had come for Ghanaians to do away with politics of victimisation and polarisation.

The NDC flagbearer, who was at his best yesterday, asserted that the NDC has a lot of people to prosecute the agenda and hinted that any of his members who would be assigned responsibility and if they fall below expectation under his Presidency, would be dealt with.

The NDC flagbearer, sure of winning the December 7 elections charged the Electoral Commission to be fair and transparent. He also appealed to them not to succumb to pressures from any quarter but to exhibit their independent role." They must work impartially. They must not succumb to any pressures and we want to tell them that our eyes are now opened," he said.

Taking a swipe at the ruling NPP administration, the former vice President said the NPP made unfulfilled promises.

"I want to ask, what has happened to the zero tolerance for corruption? What about the size of government that they complained about when in opposition? What about thousands of jobs that they promised? What about the promise of putting money in the pockets of Ghanaians? What have they done about the cost of living?"

After posing these questions, Prof. Mills contended that the activities of the NPP have made Ghanaians to lose confidence in politicians, saying he and his team were well prepared to restore hope, confidence, integrity and transparency. According to him it was unthinkable and untenable that people in government today can claim perfection.

To him, his approach of solving national issues was a bottom up approach which he underscored will be permanent under his Presidency.

"Prof. Mills and NDC believe that Ghana can do better, we are ready to provide selfless, dedicated, truthful and honest people to work in the interest of Ghana." He recounted how he toured various communities in his house-to-house campaign to get first hand information from the masses and stressed that he was heading towards a moment of glory in 2008, as it happened to the NPP in 2000.

"In 2000, it was the moment of glory for the NPP and in this 2008, it is a moment of glory for the NDC. I am saying this because one of the reasons is that we are united than ever before and are prepared to give peace to the nation." When it got to the introduction of his running mate, who some supporters at the forum have named as 'Obama', Prof. Mills said John understands what it takes to be a team player and he was hopeful that he would complement his efforts for the victory of the NDC.

In his brief words about John Mahama, this was what he said, "I have a running mate in whom I am well pleased.'

The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, a.k.a "General Mosquito', appealed to the government to provide the EC with the necessary funds to ensure successful elections.

According to him, the NDC is battle ready for 2008 and that no amount of frustration and intimidation would stop them from forming the next government and therefore urged the rank and file of the NDC to join his crusade to passionately appeal to the government to provide funds for the EC.

"We are convinced that the nation is in the mood for NDC's victory and it is important that we raise the need for funds for the EC because if the EC is under resourced, it would not help for transparent and credible elections.'

For his part, the Greater Accra regional chairman, Mr. Daniel Annang, predicted a majority win for the NDC in the region.

To him, the victory that beckons the NDC would be executed with hardwork, tenacity of purpose and vigilance, adding that the party would not be complacent in its efforts to bounce back to power.

The theme for the NDC programme was "A Better Ghana, Our Road to prosperity, investing in people, creation of jobs and a better economy."

The vision and the ideals of the NDC were later unveiled by the Hon. Hannah Tettey, the Communications Director of the NDC and Dr. Alex Segbefia, the National Campaign Coordinator.

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