NDC SUPPORTERS POUR OUT TO WELCOME MILLS (PAGE 13)

SUPPORTERS of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region reaffirmed the stronghold accolade of the party in the region when they poured out in their numbers to welcome the party's flag bearer, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, to Wa.
Prof Mills, whose visit was preceded by that of the former President and founder of the NDC, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, came on the heels of that of the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Prior to his arrival, enthusiastic supporters of the NDC met the convoy of Prof Mills on the Wa-Jirapa road and led it through the Wa Market area to the rally grounds.
From teenagers to potential voters and the very old supporters and sympathisers of the NDC from all walks of life kept faith with their most-loved party as they followed the flag bearer through the principal streets of the town.
The crowd was so thick that the police and other security personnel on duty had a hectic time controlling it and in what is gradually becoming a ritual during visits of presidential candidates to the Wa municipality, some motorcycle riders who rode recklesslessly were involved in accidents and were rushed to the hospital.
On arrival at the rally grounds, Prof Mills was greeted with thunderous cheers and responded with the "yereseseamu" symbol, which was simultaneously replicated by the supporters.
Addressing the crowd, a former Regional Minister of the Upper West Region, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, told the crowd that "We are only asking for a change".
He said the NPP had left all the schools, electricity projects and road projects in the Upper West unattended to and, therefore, they must change the government for the NDC to come and continue with its good works.
The National Womens Organiser of the NDC, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, asked the people to examine their lifestyle and see if there had been any improvement since the NPP came to power.
She said the NPP used that message in the past elections, but because it realised it had failed Ghanaians, it was not using it anymore.
She stressed the need for the people of the Upper West Region to give the NDC the chance to come and improve their living standards.
For his part, Prof Mills promised to re-construct the roads linking the Upper West and the Upper East regions as well as the one linking the Upper West to the Northern Region.
He assured them of a truthful, honest and sincere leadership when he became President, and thanked the people for the overwhelming reception accorded him and his entourage.
That, he said, was a clear manifestation that come December 7, 2008, the NDC was going to win the elections.