NDC UK/IRELAND YOUTH WINGS CALLS ON PARTY LEADERSHIP/MEMBERS TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL CONGRESS

LONDON, UK, 7 JULY 2011 - The Youth Wing of the NDC UK/IRELAND Chapter and the entire membership of the UK & Ireland Chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wish to call on the leadership, National Executive Committee and the entire membership of the party especially the youth, foot soldiers and party activists to ensure a peaceful congress.

We call on President John Atta Mills and former first lady and leader of 31st December women's movement, Nana Konadu Agemang-Rawlings and their Campaign and Communication Teams, to be cognisant of the fact that Congress 2011 and its outcome is not about any individual candidate but about the overarching interest and victory of the NDC and its progress beyond election 2012.

We entreat the Candidates, their Campaign Teams, the youth and 'foot soldiers' and the entire membership of our party to be mindful of their utterances on all platforms before, during and after congress and to respect each others views and overall, celebrate our diversity and the key ingredients which unite us as a party and a people

In our view, a successful congress will build on the NDC's credibility as an inward and structurally democratic and representative party, which embodies the people of Ghana and their interest. For the first time in Ghana's history, an incumbent President is being contested for the flagbearership of his party. This is a testament to the NDC's democratic credentials. We must ensure that we do not by our actions give fodder to our detractors, who are waiting to capitalise on such opportunities. We must, be united in diversity, identifying and harnessing the opportunities presented at this pivotal moment to build and reshape an even greater, stronger and structurally united political party for and by the people beyond election 2012.

It is imperative that the NDC and our entire membership especially the youth of the party, as well as the contestants, are reminded of the Better Ghana Agenda/manifesto on which Ghanaians gave us the mandate in 2008. We must all ensure that nothing is done during and after this congress to destabilise that agenda and its continuous execution beyond election 2012. We must remain united in purpose and mission to ensure the elephant remains in the bush where it belongs and to bring about social justice, economic sustainability and stability for all Ghanaians.

We take the opportunity to call on party youth and 'foot soldiers' and all party activists not to allow themselves to be manipulated by any of the contestants and their agents to indulge in acts unbefitting of the spirit and letter of the congress and of the NDC as a peaceful, diverse and truly democratic party.

We add our voice to the call to all party faithful to unite behind the government of President Atta Mills after the congress no matter the outcome; to ensure the continuous effective delivery of the Better Ghana Agenda. We urge all and sundry to use the available internal channels of communication and dispute/conflict resolution within the party to settle all differences. We also call on the losing and winning candidates and their supporters to be gracious and magnanimous in both victory and defeat for the overall good of the party.

Gameli Hoedoafia (Youth Organiser)/ Spinoza Ayisi-Aboah (First Deputy) 07904886202/07946206597