Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to the 2012 NPP Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, says the Mills-Mahama administration in its first term in office has delivered a ?Harder Ghana? instead of its 2008 campaign mantra of ?building a Better Ghana?.

Addressing thousands of people at the Malata Market, last Friday, as part of a tour to the market and its environs, Dr. Bawumia stated ?coming into this market, I had discussions with many market women. People are suffering, things are getting harder and harder; what was supposed to be a better Ghana has become a harder Ghana.?

He added that the NPP wanted an opportunity to ?reduce the pain and suffering of the people of Ghana?.

The gathering which can aptly be described as a mini-rally saw in attendance, market women and traders in the Malata market, head potters, youths in the community and the chiefs and elders of the Mamprugu community in the Greater Accra Region.

Dr. Bawumia who noted that his nomination as running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo was for all Ghanaians regardless of regional and ethnic differences, urged the assembled and all Ghanaians to endeavor to take advantage of the ongoing Biometric Voter?s Registration and get registered as ?it is the only way we can change the destiny of this nation?.

The NPP running mate reiterated the promised Free Senior High policy of the NPP saying that education was the key to progress and that his own life exemplified this fact. He added that such a policy would benefit the thousands of brilliant young ladies of Northern extraction who end up as head potters (kayayei) because of their inability to continue their education after the basic level.

Dr. Bawumia described Nana Akufo-Addo as someone who believed in education and was fully committed to realizing the promised Free SHS policy as it was vital for National development and progress.

He said ?the cost of illiteracy and the cost of not going through education far outweighs the cost of Free Education and that is what drives us on to deliver on this promise?.

Dr. Bawumia and his team, before entering the market, called on the Chiefs and elders of the Hausa community and the Bolgatanga House in Malata, home to the Chiefs and elders of the Frafra community to thank the chiefs and elders for the support they have shown him since his appointment and to seek their prayers for the upcoming Campaign and elections.

Islamic prayers were said at the various spots for Dr. Bawumia, Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP as well as for a peaceful electoral process and transition.

The Chiefs and Elders acknowledged the NPP as a party which had constantly promoted the interests of the Muslim and Northern population. They thanked Dr. Bawumia for showing them the needed respect by calling on them and pledged to continue praying for the Presidential ticket of the NPP.