Vice President Aliu Mahama began a five-day campaign tour of the Upper East Region with a call on the people to revert to their political roots and share in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) electoral victory in Election 2004.
The Vice President was addressing a crowd that had gathered at the forecourt of the palace of the Bolga Naba Martin Abilba, Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga Traditional Area.
Vice President Mahama told them about the origin of the NPP, saying that their forebears, who formed the Northern People's Party, were the founding fathers of the NPP tradition.
The Northern People's Party teamed up with the United Party and jointly became the Progress Party (PP) in the Second Republic.
In the Third Republic, the Party became known as the Popular Front Party (PFP) and in 1992, was re-christened the New Patriotic Party.
Vice President Mahama, who had earlier held discussions with the Bolga Naba Abilba, said with the record performance of the NPP administration across the country and particularly in the Upper East Region, it was just in order that the Region re-associated itself with their regional tradition because it had served them well.
"If you go around, you would see for yourselves the numerous projects that we are undertaking," he pointed out.
"Look at the rehabilitation at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, which had not seen any progress for over 40 years; the upgrading of the Bolgatanga Secondary School and many major projects, these are all being done to improve your quality of life," he said.
The Vice President said the people in Volta Region, which had been the traditional stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had attested to the fact that the NPP had done more for them in the past four years compared to the 20 years rule of the NDC.
"Our elders say if your enemy crops better than you and enjoy better harvest, you must just accept it," he recalled a used by the Nandom Naa Puoure Chiire in praise of the NPP.
The Vice President said that in view of this development he was hopeful that the Volta Region would now transform from the World Bank to a Rural Bank for the NDC.
He introduced Dr Geysika A. Agambila, as the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bolgatanga Central and asked the people to give him the seat to represent them in the next Parliament, because he would serve them better.
The Vice President Mahama later paid a courtesy call on the Regent of Navrongo, Navropio Atta Balinia and explained that his visit was to deepen the bond of brotherhood and friendship that existed between the Government and the Regent and to build new ties in every corner of the Region.
He thanked the people for their unflinching support for the NPP and encouraged them not to relent.
Alhaji Mahama said he was grateful that people recognised that the record card of the NPP was impressive and stressed that when the Party's mandate was renewed; its agenda to reduce poverty would be better felt.
"Our agenda has been the fighting of poverty and creating wealth and there is no doubt that what we have achieved so much so far. We would come back stronger and better resourced to complete our agenda," he said.
He mentioned the provision of dams to boost agricultural activities, educational facilities, roads, health and other amenities that had been provided, saying: "Our record card is full of pluses."
He said the Government would pursue its goal to promote the use of a windmill-driven irrigation facilities that would be capable of watering about 10 hectares of farm lands to eliminate drudgery in manual farming.
The Vice-President urged the people to renew the mandate of Mr Kofi Adda, the NPP Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central Constituency to enable him to continue his good works.
Mr C. K. Tedam, Member of the Council of State; Mr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport; Mr Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional Minister; Mr Ben Bukari Salifu, Minister of State at the Office of the Senior Minister; Mr Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the NPP and other public and party officials accompanied the Vice President.