University of Ghana advert would continue to run -NDC

Accra, Nov. 22 GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday said it is yet to receive a letter from the authorities of the University of Ghana ordering it to withdraw an advert it shot on the campus.

A statement issued in Accra said until the Party received the letter, "the advert will continue to run".

"On the whole, it would seem that the University of Ghana authorities lack a common rule where political party adverts are concerned."

The NDC said it was surprised at the statement by the University Authorities that they were embarrassed by the advert as it subtly drew it into the fray of party politics and undermined its avowed position as an impartial partner in the democratic development of the country.

The NDC described the statement as "unfortunate" saying the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) was running a television advert, "conspicuously showing buildings of the University of Ghana and claiming credit for their construction, even though, the University was well aware that the vast majority of those buildings were commenced by the NDC and that funding for the buildings were being provided by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), also instituted by the NDC."

The Authorities of University of Ghana, Legon, on Friday said the NDC's advertisement running on television stations that was shot with the University's buildings as a background was done without their approval and have asked the Party to withdraw it.

They said normally organizations seeking to shoot films on campus first and foremost sought approval from the appropriate authorities, but as far as the University was concerned this was not done.

A letter addressed to the General Secretary of the NDC, signed by Mr P.Y. Yarquah, Acting Director of the Public Affairs Directorate, the University said it was embarrassed by this advert as it subtly drew it into the fray of party politics and undermined its avowed position as an impartial partner in the democratic development of the country.

"As a fair measure and without prejudice to the aims and objectives of your Party, the University is requesting that the running of that particular advert be stopped forthwith.

"An urgent and immediate response to this request would be sufficient to mitigate the harm already done to its hard-earned reputation," the letter said.