EGLE Party endorses Mills-Obed ticket
THE EGLE Party, a partner in the Progressive Alliance with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), at the weekend, proposed for the adoption of the Alliance an Atta Mills-Obed Asamoah ticket for the December 2000 general elections.
This follows the party’s endorsement of the Vice-President, Prof. Mills, as the Alliance’s Flagbearer and Dr Asamoah, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, as the running mate for the impending elections.
These formed part of the outcome of the Fourth National Delegates Congress of the EGLE Party, held at the Auditorium of the School of Administration of the University of Ghana, Legon near Accra last Saturday.
According to the EGLE, Professor Mills and Dr Asamoah possess between them sterling qualities that can achieve the emphatic victory needed by the Progressive Alliance in the December elections.
Scores of people started filing in for the one-day congress as early as 6 a.m. and by 9 a. m., when proceedings officially began, the Auditorium of the School of Administration, University of Ghana, the venue for the congress, was packed to capacity.
Mr Owuraku Amofa, a Deputy Minister of Communications and newly elected National Chairman of the party, said the EGLE Party, which was founded by President Rawlings, has now found a new friend in Prof. Atta Mills.
He said although the hunger and starvation in many African countries is yet to subside, Ghana is doing well under the leadership of President Rawlings. “As long as you continue to assure us that you will not abandon the policies of the NDC, we will support you,” Mr Amofa said.
Mr Amofa said in spite of its internal problems, the EGLE Party remains a key member of the Progressive Alliance, united in the pursuit of a first round victory during the next presidential election.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Mills thanked the party for endorsing his candidature and said the unity exhibited by all the parties forming the Alliance will provide enough inspiration for victory in the next elections.
He further promised to take the concerns of the party on the selection of his running mate into consideration.
He noted that the EGLE is a party of the youth, who are indispensable in the campaign strategies of the Progressive Alliance, and gave the assurance that being a sportsman and one-time sports administrator, he has a special interest in youth development.
Prof. Mills said there are programmes such as the Youth in Agriculture and Education Reform programmes being implemented to develop the youth, stressing that his administration will build on this.
President Rawlings appealed to the delegates to exercise patience and respect the wisdom of the Vice-President to select and announce his running mate at the right time.
He called on supporters of the Progressive Alliance to approach the campaign for this year’s elections as a campaign not for their leaders, but for themselves and the truth.
Mrs Faustina Nelson, First Vice-Chairperson of the NDC, who led the NDC delegation to the congress, said in a solidarity message that the quest by the Progressive Alliance to win the coming elections in the first round demands hard work, commitment and dedication from the rank and file.
She commended the EGLE party for successfully holding its congress.
The DPP was also represented by its National Chairman, Mr Daniel Markin.
Mr Owuraku Amofa and some other members of the party were unanimously approved by the 2000 delegates to constitute the national executive of the party.
They are: Messrs Yaw Adae Boadie; Alhaji Jama Tutu; Captain A.R. Cudjoe; Jacob Letsu and Madam Esther Kaboo as CoVice-Chairmen. Mr Sam Pee Yalee was endorsed as the General Secretary of the party with Alhaji Ben Alhassan as his deputy.
Others are Alhaji Seidu Mahama and Mr Ben Bediako, National Organiser and Deputy National Organiser; Mr Richard Agyekum and Madam Cecilia Akuettey, National Treasurer and National Organiser, respectively. The election was supervised by Mr Kobina Arkaifie, Director of Research and Monitoring of the National Electoral Commission