The President John Agyekum Kufuor has offered a strong rebuttal of what he says are claims by the opposition that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is elitist. In touting some achievements of the party, Mr Kufuor said policies of government rather gave a parallel pointer to the opposition's claims. Speaking at the party’s delegates’ congress in the Western Regional capital of Takoradi, President Kufuor said the government had the nation at heart and would do its best to serve the interests of all. The ruling government has widely been bombarded with a barrage of criticism, especially by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for being being pro-rich. One of such criticism described the party as being a "bunch of rich political fanatics wielding political power to satisfy their whims and caprices." But President Kufuor says it's time to clear the air and set the records straight. He mentioned government’s free primary education and feeding programmes as well as its free maternal health policy. Mr Kufuor contended that such policies were characteristic of a growing nation rather than signs of elitism. The country, according to him, was bound for the ash heap when the NPP attained power in 2000 but has been invigorated on the backs of certain pragmatic programmes. The President also quashed criticisms that the NPP government is corrupt. He said such claims were sheer propaganda designed to distract the government in an electioneering year. “Some people question this government’s record of good governance, transparency and accountability. They claim we have failed to check corruption. But they deliberately refuse to see the impact of a law like the Procurement Law introduced by the government to check undue favouritism and corrupt practices in the award of contracts,” he stated. Mr Kufuor said “the evidence is there but our opponents with their virulent propaganda machinery are determined to confused and deceive the people of Ghana.” Touching on the Ghana Telecom-Vodafone deal, President Kufuor said the lengthy debate that followed the initial announcement of the offer showed that the government believed in transparency. He said although there had been comments suggesting the decision was not the best for the country, Ghanaians would live to see some great benefits. President Kufuor also had word on the presidential ticket of the NPP. He said the flag-bearer, Nana Addo's choice of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as running mate was an excellent one. The President called on party members to support the duo to win the Presidency come December 7. 'Rail line light' Ghana’s rail system may soon see massive development with the procurement of some $90 million from the Chinese government, President Kufuor disclosed. He stated that a consortium made up of the mining companies, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, COCOBOD, Timber Board and some private entities had already been setup to kick-start the new rail system. “We’ve got the money and we are getting it from China, from Abu Dhai and from around the Gulf states to come and partner us, to [rebuild] the old rails and link to the northern-most part of the country,” he stated. For Mr. Kufuor “Rome was not built in a day,” urging workers of the rail fraternity to exercise restraint as “this government and its successor will take [them] there.” Listen to excerpts of Kufuor's address in Takoradi Author: Fiifi Koomson