Party supporters defy heavy rains to attend NPP manifesto launch

Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have defied heavy rains that fell on Sunday, 9 October and converged, in their numbers, on the Accra International Trade Fair Centre for the launch of the party’s 2016 manifesto.

Organisers, leaders and supporters were seen crossing flooded arenas either with their cars or on foot to the venue of the manifesto launch.

Thousands of the party’s supporters and officials are expected to attend the event.

Key personalities including former President John Agyekum Kufour, Nana Addo Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, presidential nominee and vice presidential nominee of the party respectively, past and present executives of the party, and several others, are expected to be in attendance.

Already business activities in and around the venue are booming with regards to the sale of NPP paraphernalia and other items.

The party is expected to make known the policies it will be implementing if it wins the December 7 polls.

Here are some highlights from the manifesto:

(a) The next NPP government will construct a new harbours at James Town and Keta.

(b) The next NPP government will provide Freedom Cards to the aged to have free access to all public transportation and other public facilities.

(c) The NPP government will restore in full Teacher and Nursing trainees allowances in the first quarter in office.

(d) The next NPP government will build an Accident and Emergency center in Takoradi.

(e) The next NPP government will abolish the payment of utility bills by students right after assumption of office.

(f) The next NPP government will pass a legislation to ensure that at least 20% of road contracts awarded to foreign contractors to be sub contracted to local contractors.

(g) The next NPP government will increase the amount of loans under the student loan scheme and restructure to streamline its administration to enhance recovery of the loans.

(h) The next NPP government will immediately right after assumption of office reduce taxes on electricity tariffs to provide immediate relief to households and industries.

(I) The NPP government will establish factory in every district to create more employment tor the youth (J) In the three Northern regions, one irrigation dam for every district.