Diversion Of Campaign Funds, Logistics And Other Resources Caused NDC Defeat

President John Dramani Mahama has promised to ensure that funds for the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) campaign for election 2020 are not diverted.

Addressing enthusiastic supporters of the party in the Awutu Senya Constituency where he officially launched his campaign to contest the internal NDC primaries, Mr. Mahama said the party had learnt its lessons and will ensure that campaign funds are used for its intended purpose.

“I have noted all our mistakes. We realized campaign funds were diverted, but we have learnt our lessons. We will ensure campaign funds go through the right channel to get the campaign done. In 2020, we must rise up and be vigilant. I am confident that at the end of the polls, NDC will be declared winner.”

The former President also encouraged his supporters to engage in a decent campaign ahead of the election.

“Let's all contest because we all have the same aim; but let us allow party supporters to elect who they wish. As our aim is one, it will be unnecessary to verbally attack one another because we support different aspirants.

“After that, both winners and losers will unite to contest election 2020. My other brothers will also come to you. When they do, listen to them quietly and see what they can also do. As for who is good enough to lead the NDC, we will find out on that day,” he said.

According to the former President, God allowed the NDC’s defeat to give Ghanaians the chance to compare their performance with the NPP to see who’s better.

John Mahama formally declared his intention to contest the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) presidential primaries after his letter of intent was presented to the party on his behalf by a delegation led by former Ambassador, Daniel Ohene Agyekum at the NDC headquarters Thursday, August 23, 2018, in Accra.

Mahama joins contest
Mr. Mahama joins other high profile aspirants within the NDC including the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah, and Nadowli Kaleo MP, Alban Bagbin.

Other aspirants are Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah; a former Trade and Industry Minister; Former Vice Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi, and Cape Coast South MP Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.

The NDC is expected to elect its presidential candidate in December 2018.

Support from Regional Chairmen, MPs
Mr. Mahama had the support of the 10 Regional Chairmen of the NDC even before his announcement to contest.

Ninety-four NDC MPs out of the Minority Caucus of 106 also endorsed Mr. Mahama as the flagbearer for the 2020 polls prior to his announcement.

The list of the MPs backing him was made public after he made his intention to contest public.

The 94 MPs welcomed the decision and promised to support Mahama's campaign.

A statement from the MPs said: “As Members of Parliament, we would like to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama for hearkening to the cries of our Constituents which we presented to him when we met him four (4) months ago. Our Constituents had one simple message – President Mahama should avail himself to the people of Ghana to salvage the sinking ship under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Today He has heeded the clarion call of the people and we are grateful.”

'Reconsider your comeback' – Kojo Yankah advises Mahama

The Founder of Africa University College of Communication (AUCC), Kojo Yankah, had asked Mr. Mahama to reconsider his decision to run again for the NDC presidential primaries (NDC) and subsequently contest for the presidency again.

While acknowledging the former President's successes in the highest office of the land, the educationist maintained that it would only be expedient for the former President to rethink his decision for the contest.

“HE John Dramani Mahama on my mind. Dear John, l have admired you for a very long time as you know. You are a very affable, intelligent, and courteous person. Your humility and sense of service contributed to your rise to leadership at various levels culminating in God putting you in charge of the helm of affairs in this beautiful country. You lost an election and you accepted the results and thanked God accordingly.”

“To the best of my knowledge, you performed to the best of your ability with the team, message and strategies you brought on board. From my knowledge of history, no leader of any country has been able to solve all the problems of that country. Even more inspiring for me, America's Jimmy Carter, who was in office for only one term, served the world and humanity much better when he was out of office. John, my humble request is for you to give a second thought to your decision. If l am too late in coming, or if you have heard my reasoning before, l wish you well. Definitely you may hear other voices more compelling than mine. May the Good Lord guide your paths.”