NDC claim of slogan is blatant plagiarism – Gabby Otchere Darko

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Director of the Danquah Institute and a member of the New Patriotic Party has tightened the NPP's grip on the 'People Matter, You matter' slogan by declaring the party has documented evidence which dates to August 2011.

The ruling National Democratic Congress has also claimed ownership of the slogan adding that it fits into their social democratic political ideology.

The Executive Director of Danquah Institute in an interview with Joy FM Friday revealed that their opponents' claim of the slogan, which coincidentally happens to be the title of the NPP's manifesto, was an attempt to prevent them from using it as title for the manifesto.

Mr. Otchere Darko revealed that the slogan was proposed last year August and was subsequently accepted by the Manifesto Committee on the 6th December, 2011 in their meeting at a hotel in Aburi.

He further narrated that the draft manifesto bearing the much sought after slogan was presented to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo by Professor Yaw Twumasi, February 2012.

Mr. Otchere said since the presentation of the draft manifesto there have been series of meetings by top shots of the party to improve on the content of the manifesto.

He revealed the full title of the manifesto is 'People Matter, You matter :Building a free and fair society of opportunities and hope for every Ghanaian'

According to Mr. Otchere-Darko, the NDC's explanation given for the choice of the same slogan does not wash describing their choice as one that smacks of lack of ingenuity and lack of creativity.

Mr. Othcere Darko said the decision by NDC to use that same slogan is a 'blatant plagiarism' stating that a similar incident took place in 2008 where NPP came up with the Northern Development Fund which according to him the NDC quickly adopted and changed it to Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).

Apart from the fight for 'People Matter, You Matter', the two parties have scheduled the same day for the launch of their campaign for election 2012, August 25.

A Senior Lecturer of political science Dr. Seidu Halidu told Joy FM one party must let go the slogan in order not to create an identity crisis for the two parties.

Dr. Halidu stated that the decision by the two parties to have the launch on the same will deny floating voters the chance of assessing the messages of the two parties at the venue of the launch.

However, Dr. Halidu stated that the electorate must look beyond the slogan of a party and rather focus on their ability to deliver on their promises.

Source: Myjoyonline