NDC IN USA ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

The North American Coordinating Council of the NDC, (National Democratic Congress) has had its Biennial Congress at Rock ville, Maryland in the United States. A joyous audience dressed in sparkling party colors filled the Conference room of the Hotel, which served as the venue for the event. The NDC faithfuls came from across the continent of United States and neighboring Canada, members of twelve chapters namely New Jersey, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Toronto(Canada), Washington DC, New York, Atlanta, Chicago and North Carolina. Representatives from NDC Canada were also in attendance.

The the mood of the audience was ecstatic and joyous, as this was the first time members of the party in the North America, were meeting after the 2008 general elections, which saw their party winning both a parliamentary majority and the presidency. To the the unlearned eye not accustomed to Ghanaian celebrations the meeting may have seemed noisy, the frequent play of the party's anthem jarring, but to the party faithfuls this was exactly what they had dreamed of for many years, a brief time of celebration after eight long years in the political wilderness – the aura that clothed the venue was clear – it was a that one of triumph.

During the first session of the Congress which, started at eleven o'clock, on the morning of Saturday, June 20th, 2009, the chairmen of various chapters reported on recent activities and projects their various chapters have been associated with for the past year. The second session of the congress, witnessed the election of new executives for the NACC of the NDC by the member chapters.

The newly elected are as follows; Cobby Boahene – Chairman, Appiah Twumasi Ankrah - first Vice Chairman; Ms. Hafsta Yakubu- second Vice Chairwoman; Osborne K Sam,-General Secretary; Charles Edem Kpodo - Deputy General Secretary; Treasurer -Dede Dufuor; Deputy Treasurer - Bismark Agbemenule; Women's Organizer- Eva Naa Ayele;Inter-chapter coordinator- Nii Armah Odartey; Deputy Inter-chapter coordinator- Eugene Markwei; Youth Organizer -Nii Armah Hammond; Deputy Youth Organiser - Akpeti Kumassah.

The audience was pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the Hon. Samuel Ablakwa Okudzeto, Deputy Minister for Information, who had been delegated by the President of Ghana, H. E. Prof. John Atta-Mills as a Guest of Honor for the occasion. The Deputy Minister, lived up to his growing reputation as a whiz-kid of information, with his in-depth knowledge of current issues the government of Ghana is grappling with.

The minister unequivocally declared, that President Atta-Mills has in the first six months of his administration demonstrated his government's desire to cut financial waste, eschew ostentation, focus on bettering the lot of the average Ghanaian and lead a government which has the rule of law and the respect for the rights of its citizens as a cardinal guiding principle.

In light of the above-stated the president had directed that the presidential motorcade should always consist of not more than five vehicles, representing a drastic cut in the vehicles that usually form a part of the presidential convoy. In addition to this, the President has also declared that he would not be paid any “per diems” even though he is entitled to such payments during presidential travels. Money saved from all these cost cutting measures would be used for developmental projects for Ghanaians.

President Mills has agreed to be personally searched by law enforcement before he travels out of Ghana, knowing that this symbolizes not only the government's determination to fight the illicit smuggling of narcotics but also to illustrate that, the administration will hold all as equal before the law.

Describing the leadership of President Mills as visionary, the deputy minister lauded the appointments made by the president as cutting across all the different ethnic and regional groups in Ghana. He cited an occurrence in the previous NPP administration where for a period, there were no appointments from the Upper West Region, and pointed out that the situation has obviously improved during the current administration. He also stated that the confidence President Mills has invested in appointing young persons to the high office of government was visionary since such appointments are encouraging to other young people in Ghana, he surmised that the experience gathered by these younger ministers will serve the country well for a long time in. The audience was particularly touched by these sentiments since the honorable deputy minister's father was sitting among the audience.

Honorable Okudzeto spoke of the administration's plans to by the end of the year introduce free text books and free school uniform materials for underprivileged children; an improved National Health Insurance Scheme and the adoption of a single spine salary structure, as well as a a substantial increase in the benefits accruing to teachers.

He reiterated the government's commitment, not to hound or persecute any Ghanaian citizen simply because they had been officials in the former NPP administration. He however convinced the gathering that, government will investigate any suspicious dealings by past government officials without fear or favor and bring to book any individuals who can be proven to have been actors of any corrupt acts.

He inducted the newly elected officers into office, encouraging them to continue to bear allegiance to and work tirelessly for the ideals of the party and the people of Ghana.

During a well attended dinner organized later during the evening of Congress, the Deputy Information Minister swore into office the newly elected officers of the NACC of NDC.

Source: Osborne K Sam.

Source: Osborne K Sam