Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flag bearer of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday said education would be the topmost priority of the next NPP Government when elected into office. "Education is the key to the development of this country. In developed countries like North Korea and Malaysia, illiteracy has been eliminated so education must be the priority of every government," he said. Nana Akufo-Addo made the pledge at a rally at Bukom in the Odododiodio Constituency in Greater Accra Region when he joined the chiefs and people of Ga to celebrate Homowo. He noted that Ghana needed a system where every child would have an opportunity to be educated and the only way to eliminate illiteracy in the society was to make quality basic education free. Nana Akufo-Addo said it was only through education that industrial development and creation of jobs could be achieved. "Most of the working class in Ghana are below 35 years, so we need a policy that would ensure a youthful and skilled human resource base," he said. He said there had been improvement in the economy since January 2001 and urged residents in Odododiodio Constituency to support the Party to promote development. Nana Akufo-Addo called for peaceful, free and transparent elections in December that would unite all Ghanaians. "It is not right to shed blood because of the electoral process because Ghana is seen as the beacon of hope for the African continent towards its march for development,” he added. Nana Akufo-Addo denied allegations that the ruling NPP was planning to rig Election 2008, adding "a political party that has been defeated twice in elections even when the NPP was in opposition, why should we rig the elections." Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister said NPP won 11 out of the 13 seats in the Region in 2004 and would definitely win all the seats in Election 2008. Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, Mayor of Accra said Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) would soon construct a modern boxing gymnasium in the area to develop the sport. Mr Samuel Odoi-Sykes, former National Chairman of NPP said Nana Akufo-Addo was more politically experienced than all the contesting Flag bearers for Election 2008. A giant billboard of Nana Akufo-Addo was unveiled at Bukom square to promote the Party's campaign in the constituency whilst a minute silence was observed in memory of the late Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, for Speaker of Parliament and a Leading Member of NPP. Source: GNA