The Eastern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, has stated that the party will retain all the 22 parliamentary seats it presently occupies in the region as well as win the other six seats won by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2008 parliamentary election. The six seats being held by the NDC are Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, Upper West Akyem, Afram Plains South and Afram Plains North. Mr Amoabeng said the good performance of the government had won the confidence of the people, particularly in areas where the party lost during the 2004 polls, and that it was clear that the party would win majority of the presidential votes in the opposition's strongholds. The NPP Regional Chairman made the prediction during a press briefing at Koforidua. The meeting which was also attended by the party's regional and constituency executive formed part of activities to mark the 15th anniversary of the NPP's existence. According to Mr. Amoabeng, the NPP Administration had done better than any other government since the country attained independence 50 years ago and mentioned good governance, the rule of law and various initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and free feeding for basic school pupils, which he said had almost doubled enrolment and relieved parents of economic hardship. Others, he said, were the Health Insurance Scheme, the Youth Employment Programme and other poverty alleviation programmes that were making it possible for the poor to live normal lives. Mr Amoabeng, who indicated that although those achievements would convince the people to vote for the NPP at the 2008 polls, however, asked the rank and file of the party to work harder than before for a resounding victory. With regard to differences between some district chief executives and the party's Members of Parliament, he said steps were being taken to resolve them to strengthen the party at both district and constituency levels, and that such differences occurred in any democratic institution. On the party’s flagbearership race, he appealed to all the contestants not to vilify others since they all belonged to the same political family. They should rather convince the delegates and the people with their good intentions. In answer to a question whether the deregulation of the prices of petroleum products would lead to inflation, thus making the recent currency re-denomination a futile exercise, he said the new currency would retain its value. Mr Amoabeng said that the party was taking the necessary steps to support its foot soldiers whose efforts led to its victory in the 2000 and 2004 general elections. He paid tribute to both the founding fathers of the Danquah-Busia tradition as well as those who spear-headed the party in the Eastern Region during its difficult years. Source: Daily Graphic