Kumbour Not Bothered -But annoyed fans threaten to campaign against NDC

Benjamin Kumbour, former National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Lawra-Nandom, says he is not in any way worried about the decision by President John Evans Atta Mills to exclude him from his list of ministerial nominees.

 According to the former MP who was defeated in last year's parliamentary election by the New Patriotic Party"s Ambrose Derry, the NDC is made up of many people of high calibre, stressing that it was therefore unrealistic for all to make the ministerial list of 37 so far announced by the President.

 NDC members in Lawra-Nandom have expressed shock about President Mills's decision to exclude their former MP from the list of his cabinet ministerial nominations.

 They have consequently threatened to mount a vigorous campaign against the party in the 2012 general elections if Dr Kumbour is not considered for a Cabinet Ministerial position.

 A statement issued and signed by Edward Naasuzu and Gregory Maamino noted that there was no basis for the exclusion of their hero from the list of people nominated for ministerial positions, considering the huge contribution he made towards the party's victory in last year's elections.

 In the view of the group, the decision by President Mills to ignore Dr Kumbour in his appointments would lead to the collapse of the NDC in the Lawra-Nandom constituency, threatening, "We are ready to campaign against the NDC, come 2012, in the constituency.'

 The statement continued, 'In as much as it is the prerogative of the President to appoint people he can work with to realise his vision and policy, we feel that leaving out a personality such as Dr Benjamin Kumbour will be a big blow to the constituency, the region and Ghana at large.'

 Commenting on the agitations during an interview on Citi FM , an Accra based radio station, Dr Kumbour submitted that whether he would be considered for a position or not in the Mills government was not a bother to him.

 'What I am quite happy about is the fact that NDC has come back to power', adding, 'what is important is that we work hard to move the country forward, to meet the aspirations of the people.'

 Pressed further, the seasoned private legal practitioner, however, admitted, 'I certainly cannot ignore the concerns of the people {over his exclusion from the list of ministerial nominees}.

I have been inundated with calls. If I were an individual I won't be bothered, but once I represent a group of people, I have a duty to ensure that their aspirations are met. I led them to war and so cannot abandon them half way, but in this case I have to explain to them the realities on the ground.'

 The former Ranking member of Finance and Economic Planning observed that things would not be easy for the Mills administration, especially in the early stages, and therefore called for all hands to be on deck to ensure the success of the government.