President Advises NDC Supporters: Be Positive, Don't Waste Time On Lies, Insults

A huge crowd of supporters and sympathisers of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) converged on Mantse Agbona in Accra on Saturday to kick-start the party’s campaign to retain power in the 2012 elections.

Although the rally was a regional one meant to introduce the 28 parliamentary aspirants of the party in the Greater Accra Region, it attracted almost every single leading member of the party, giving it a semblance of a national event.

Mantse Agbona, a Ga expression which loosely translates ‘the outer court of the chief of James Town or British Accra’, which is noted for hosting major political activities predating independence, could not contain the milling crowd.

That led to the blockage of the Old Winneba Road by the milling crowd and the security agencies had a hectic time bringing in President J.E.A. Mills, who arrived at the rally ground holding two miniature NDC flags.

Virtually all the minor streets, alleys and spaces leading to the rally ground were filled with jubilating members of the party, most of whom were wearing party T-shirts with the picture of President Mills juxtaposed against those of the parliamentary candidates.

The rally also attracted some jokes from comedian Bob Okala and created an economic boom for food vendors and beverage sellers. But those who might have made the greatest fortune were those who dealt in NDC paraphernalia.

With ace musician, Jewel Ackah’s Butterfly Six Band providing live band music, speakers and others who had the opportunity to address the rally rendered their own versions of known Gospel songs.

Addressing the rally, an apparently elated President Mills told the crowd that the challenges faced by his administration since coming into office had been confronted head-on, paving the way for an enjoyable future.

The President, who had arrived at the venue at 3:40 p.m., said his administration had achieved a lot, adding, “We have made those gains through a lot of sacrifices.”

“There are so many things to point to. Action speaks louder than words,” he said.

The President urged NDC members to be ambassadors of the unprecedented achievements chalked up by his administration, instead of engaging in the politics of lies and insults, stressing, “It is only those who have nothing to show who will resort to lies, character assassination and insults.”

He said the confidence reposed in Ghana’s economy by world leaders was not a fluke but a reality as a result of the focus of his administration to do what was right.

President Mills used the occasion to dismiss the notion that the NDC was in disarray, saying that the party was more united now than before.

He said there was bound to be differences in any family or organisation but noted that how those differences were resolved would make the difference.

Other speakers included the National Chairman of the NDC, Dr Kwabena Adjei; the National Organiser, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan; the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; the First National Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, and the National Women’s Organiser, Ms Anita De Sousoo.

Dr Adjei indicated that in every organisation, group or institution there was bound to be conflict or some form of misunderstanding, noting, however, that the dynamism of that organisation would be known depending on its ability to resolve that conflict.

“If you are in an organisation that has no conflict, then that organisation is either dead or about to die,” he stated.

He added that it was crucial for the NDC to unite, not because it could not beat the NPP again, come the 2012 elections, “but because we want to beat them hands down”.

He said supporters and sympathisers of the NDC who, for various reasons, were contemplating or had threatened to vote for President Mills and not NDC parliamentary aspirants should jettison that idea that because it would impact negatively on the party’s chances of securing a larger majority in Parliament.

Mr Boateng-Gyan said he abhored the politics of vituperations and personality attacks and noted that any public figure who misbehaved must be exposed and brought to book.

He urged members of the party to have their names captured on the voters register in the forthcoming biometric voters registration from March 24 to May 5, 2012 and cautioned that anyone who tried to register more than once would not only have his name deleted but also prosecuted.