NDC In Talks With Tsikata, Botchwey And P.V.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has began talks aimed at convincing some of its leading members who have hitherto been ‘politically dormant’ to be more active. NDC National Chairman, Dr Obed Asamoah told the Daily Dispatch that people contacted so far include Captain Kojo Tsikata (rtd); Dr Kwesi Botchwey and Mr Paul Victor Obeng. He was optimistic that the party will succeed in bringing them back into the party’s fold. “We have been talking to them. We believe we will succeed in making them more active in the party”. On whether he would be surprised to see the name of the former First lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as one of contests who will vie for the party’s Presidential candidature for the 2004 elections, the chairman said he would not be surprised to see her name or any other name. The nominations for the NDC’s Presidential slot, according to Mr. Asamoah can spring surprises. He was emphatic that the NDC “ will win the 2004 elections because the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has disappointed even their ardent supporters. By their performances so far, many people would want a change. The former Attorney- General hinted that areas where the NPP swept most of the votes in the 2000 election are likely to vote against the party, come 2004.When reminded that NPP might have a plan of enforcing harsh economic measures now and softening them in 2003, towards the elections, Dr Asamoah laughed and said “ that will be interesting. “We must bear in mind that even with everything being equal, there will be minimum increases of 12% for the utilities within eight months, by March 2003. But I can bet that the PURC, given the conditions might increase them before the automatic March 2003 increase”. On whether he would put his name forward to contest for the Presidential slot at the December congress, Dr Asamoah used a phrase he first used some 20 years ago, “we will cross the bridge when we get to it”.