PNC Weds NPP

THE PEOPLE'S National Convention (PNC) has assured the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of its total support in the event of an electoral run-off during the December polls.

The party expressed the hope that the NPP would remain in political power and said it had always believed in the ability of the NPP to move Ghana forward.

The pledge was announced on Saturday at the NPP Annual Delegates' Conference in Sekondi by the PNC deputy National Organiser, Abu-Saddique Kwashie Ebla.

“As the Senior Prefect of opposition, at least for now, my advice and prayer for you is that you continue to be where you are, not forgetting the small ant that put you there.

We assure you that when the going gets tough, the PNC would be there to support you,” Mr. Abu-Saddique noted.

The deputy National Organizer said his party believed the NPP had the ability to steer the affairs of Ghana and move the nation forward and that was why the PNC did not hesitate to throw its weight behind the party during the presidential run-off of the 2000 elections.

He said just as the PNC was prepared to support the NPP, the ruling party should also be ready to reciprocate the gesture.

The growing love between the two political parties was suspected to have influenced the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's choice of running mate for the December election- Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Dr Bawumia, the Economics whiz kid, who was last Thursday chosen to partner Nana Addo, is the son-in law of the PNC's National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, Alhaji Ramadan said Nana Addo would not regret choosing Dr. Bawumia as his vice presidential candidate.

The PNC Chairman described the NPP running mate as a brilliant and hard working man who would improve the fortunes of the NPP.

“Yes it is true, his wife Samira is my daughter; she is my only daughter and I honestly feel elated that her husband had been elevated to this current status.

I am honoured and I really wish them well,” Alhaji Ramadan noted.

He congratulated the NPP for the manner in which it handled the tension that rocked the party at the threshold of choosing a running mate and said he was glad the party had surmounted the obstacle.

Abu-Saddique, in his address at the NPP Conference also referred to Samira as a political treasure from the PNC to the NPP.

His solidarity message drew loud cheers and applause from the large elephant family gathered at the Sekondi College on Saturday.

The PNC's representative and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), represented by its General Secretary, Bede Ziedeng and its National first Vice Chairman, Frances Assiem; all joined the NPP family in doing the 'Kangaroo' dance which symbolized the NPP's “we are moving forward” mantra.

Mr. Ziedeng, in giving a solidarity message from the DFP, said his party believed multi-party democracy was a tool for strengthening democracy and good governance and would therefore be glad if the NPP as a political party grew stronger.

He expressed a lot of goodwill for the NPP but was however of the belief that the DFP would pull a surprise victory during the December polls.

For his part, Ivor Greenstreet, General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP) said the NPP should be getting ready to go on retirement after the December polls.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had no representative at the event, even though NPP officials announced that they had sent the party an official invitation.

The Saturday programme was also used to launch the NPP manifesto for the 2008 elections and to adopt a Polling Station Operational Manual for the party.

By Halifax Ansah-Addo