I'LL PROVIDE TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP — MILLS (Daily Graphic Monday, November 17, 2008 PAGE 17

THE Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has reiterated his desire to provide transparent and truthful leadership to the country.
He said he would build a society where equal rights and responsibility of all persons would not be mere speech-making.
Addressing thousands of supporters at a rally at Bawku as part of his campaign tour in the Upper East Region, Prof. Mills said should he win the December 7 elections, he would work assiduously to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians.
The rally in Bawku, the first by any political party since the Security Agencies relaxed the restriction imposed on the holding of political activities in the municipality due to protracted tribal conflict, was heavily patronised with the main streets jammed and awash with NDC colours.
Groups of supporters competed to undo each other with dangerous motor riding and praise-singing as well as drumming, all extolling the invincibility of the NDC and its parliamentary candidate, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the incumbent MP.
The rally which also comes at the heels of a recent invitation extended to all political parties by the Bawku Naba to extend their activities to the area, was characterised by heavy police and military presence.
At least two armoured personnel carriers, a police vehicle, a Nissan Patrol, all with several police and military personnel were deployed to ensure that no nasty incident was recorded.
Prof. Mills said the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had worsened as the NPP had totally failed Ghanaians.
"Elections are about the welfare of the people. If, therefore, you have a government which is not interested in the welfare of the people, such a government cannot move forward, it has to be move outside," he said.
He said, if the NDC was voted into power it would improve on the quality of education and also provide jobs for the people, especially the youth, stressing that it was only the NDC that had the welfare of the people at heart.
According to Prof. Mills, when elected, his government would build technical and vocational schools in every district to provide the youth with skills, adding that beneficiaries would also be given start up capitals to enable them start their own trade.
He also promised to improve the sheanut industry by providing sheanut farmers with protective clothing to prevent them from snake bites.
He disclosed that an NDC government would build factories that would process 50,000 tonnes of sheanut into butter for both the local market and for export.
The NDC Presidential candidate seized the opportunity to plead with the people of Bawku and its surrounding communities which were recovering from violence to embrace peace emphasising that without peace, no development could take place.
"We are all tired of conflict. I am praying to God to touch our hearts so that we will live in unity and together we can work to develop this country", he stressed.
He paid special tribute to both the police and military personnel on peacekeeping duties in the area for their dedication and hard work which had led to the restoration of peace in Bawku.
Prof. Mills said he was aware that like many other Ghanaians, their conditions of service were no better and gave the assurance of improved working conditions when the NDC is elected.
Touching on the oil find, Prof. Mills said resources accruing to the state would be used for the benefit of the people through the provision of social services. He also pledged to set aside some of the oil revenue for generations yet unborn.
Prof. Mills also promised to set up an independent body which would monitor the use of the oil resources and account to the people of this country.
He later introduced Mr Mahama Ayariga whom he described as a very hard working young man with great potential as the Parliamentary candidate for the constituency to the people, and urged them to retain him in parliament.
The NDC Presidential candidate had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who wished him well in his campaign.
Prior to his tour of the Bawku area, Prof. Mills paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga, Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III, who warmly received him and also wished him well in his campaign.
He later joined the family of an NDC sympathiser, the late Osaman Ali, who died in a motor accident on November 8, 2008 during an NDC peace march in Bolgatanga to mourn with the deceased’s family.
The tour of NDC Presidential candidate to the Bawku areas took him to Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri where he interacted with the chiefs and traditional rulers and addressed mini rallies.
The party's parliamentary candidates namely, Messrs Dominic Azumah, Simon Akunye and Mark Anthony Awuni for Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri constituencies respectively were all introduced to the people.
At Pusiga, 22 supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency who had defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were introduced to the public.
The defectors praised the leadership qualities of Prof. Mills and promised to rally more people to join the NDC.
Prof. Mills said an NDC government would not initiate policies and programmes that would bring untold hardship to them, and called on the people to vote massively for the party in the December 7 general election.
He also gave an undertaking to raise the image of the Pusiga Teacher Training College when given the nod.
Prof. Mills was accompanied by Mr Ato Ahwoi, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, National Women's Organiser, and other National and Regional Executive of the party.