NDC USA launched Operation 2016 in Dallas, Texas

The NDC USA, on Saturday May 24 and 25th 2014 held a special biennial conference in Dallas Texas. Enthusiastic members, patrons, friends, supporters, and National party executives from Ghana converged in this historic City of Dallas to once again re-dedicate themselves to the party and strategize for 2016.

The conference brought together, branches across the country to deliberate on ways to promote the party's agenda and to coordinate various action plans for operation 2016.

The theme for the conference is "NDC USA, Building a dynamic, prosperous and Stable Democracy 2016" This conference is part of the year's program line up of activities where various branch executives and their delegates converge to share notes on progress and make decision for the rest of the remaining calendar.

This conference afford the chapter the opportunity to make important changes to working documents and rules to help initiates new plans for action. This year's conference has attracted party dignitaries from far and near. This special invited guest from Ghana were; Deputy Secretary General, Mr. George Lawson, Alhaji Baba Sherif, Deputy National Organizer and Hon. Samuel Ambre, Member of Parliament - Assin North.

Welcoming delegates and party official from Ghana, the chairperson of the host branch Mrs. Janet Wilson thanked all members for traveling to Dallas. She requested a minute silence in memory of our late beloved Sir Paul Victor Obeng, Hajia Adissa Sally, Agnes Tiah and the mother of our Party General Secretary.

She said, "I'm humbled by the number of members and supporters from far and near in attendance."She thanked the executive committee of NDC USA, for entrusting the preparation and organization of this important conference to Dallas branch.

She said, "even though we are one of the newest branches, we have accepted the challenge to host all of you here in this historic city of Texas."

The chairman of NDC USA, Nii Armah Ashiboi in his welcome remarks thanked all delegates for coming. He thank his executives for doing the work for which they were elected and appealed to all branches present to work together to help increase their membership before 2016 general election. He thank all invited guest from far and near for doing the work of the chapter by honoring their invitation to witness this important occasion.

Speaking at the conference to an enthusiastic members and executives from all over the states, the deputy general secretary encouraged delegates and members to continue to work as hard as never before to support the NDC party and President Mahama Administration. He assured the executives that they will receive the necessary support from the party at home. He however charged them to embark on membership drive by forming more new branches and has directed the national executive to hold new elections within all member branches to satisfy the prerequisite for the reorganization currently underway. He reiterates the need to have more members because in politics, number count a lot. He said, the national electoral commission is also embarking on a limited registration exercise throughout the country next month as required by our constitution that, every Ghanaian of 18 years an above must be registered to vote. He maintained that, NDC party will also do their part as a national party by training party officials at regional and constituency levels to monitor this exercise.

He reminded members of the party to remain vigilant and beware of detractors of the President's agenda who wish to see the country fail just for political expediency.

He assured delegates and members that, the President is on course and those who are hoping to see failure will be disappointed. He however said the economic difficulties been experienced in the country are not peculiar to Ghana alone, but a global phenomenon. In Ghana's case, there are certain factors responsible, among them is, the donor support component of the overall budget is lacking. The other problem is our wage bill which is taking a toll on the overall budget. The wage for example takes about 70% of the total budget leaving less than 30% for the rest of the country's needed infrastructure and other sectors of the economy.

He however remained optimistic that, "as social democrats, the NDC remains committed to full implementation of policies and programs which can lead to greater investment opportunities that will enhance development of human, social and economic capacity of all Ghanaians." He commended Dallas branch for doing a wonderful job in hosting this historic event for all. He said, "It's colorful and full of energy and enthusiasm. He told the gathering to continue in this manner and never let the fire in them die before the 2016 election. "The party will need your support to retain power, come 2016."

The deputy National Organizer of Ghana's ruling party the National Democratic Congress Alhaji Baba Sheriff on his part stressed the need for cohesion and dialogue between the NDC USA and the mother party in Ghana." The NDC USA can influence decision back home if they stand together as has been witnessed here at this conference." During his address at the conference he underscored the role the NDC USA during the course of its history and encouraged the organization not to underrate itself regarding possible impact it can make to the party and the development of the country.

Hon. Samuel Ambre, Member of Parliament for Assim North on his part has asked all members to close their ranks and file to fight for the party and the people of Ghana. He said, NDC is a party that embraces all Ghanaians and it is a national base party where all are equal. He encourages participants at the conference to visit their constituencies whenever they visit home to contribute to the development of their area. He said members of parliament are doing their best within the limited resources at their disposal. He commended the organizers of the conference and indicated his desire to come to all our conferences when invited due to what he has witnessed. He concluded by saying that, President Mahama government is doing what the people of Ghana has elected him to do. He asked the supporters of the party to continue to support his policies and work hard to promote the Better Ghana Agenda.

On the state of the organization's affairs, the secretary Mr. Charles Kpodzo recounted the activities of the organization from its inception 1992. In his report, the secretary touched briefly on the history of the chapter. He said, "NDC USA formally known as North America Coordinating Council (NACC) of NDC, was the first overseas branch of the party and all Ghanaian political overseas groups for that matter. Over the years, this chapter (NDC USA) has distinguished itself and pioneered or help other chapters to be established across the world. We have become the model for all political overseas branches."

Currently, NDC USA has 21 active branches. These branches are vital to the overall energy of the party machinery. The secretary assured the conferees that, the reorganization and membership drive will be intensified as a matter of urgency and priority for the remaining calendar years before the 2016 general election. NDC USA has declared to work harder in advancing the better Ghana Agenda.

The NDC USA committed itself during the conference to work harder in advancing the better Ghana Agenda and to ensure at all possible costs that the NDC will emerge victorious during the general elections of 2016.

In his closing remarks, the chairman of NDC USA Nii Ashiboi Armah also promised to continue efforts to bring all on board and increase our number and efforts to see NDC retain power in 2016.

The conference came to a close after new committee members were inducted into office by Hon. Samuel Ambre and Alhaji Baba Sherif.

Charles Kpodzo,
Secretary NDC USA.
Singed.