<<Print>>

Mr. Kofi Adams, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has appealed to the party�s hierarchy and members to appreciate the efforts of former President Jerry John Rawlings that led the party to win the 2008 general election. Addressing supporters, foot soldiers and party wings at the Sunyani Polytechnic auditorium, he said as a founder of the NDC, former President Rawlings and his family �ought to be held in high esteem.� �If the NDC does not have anything good to offer the Rawlingses for their contributions to the growth of the party, it should not be insults�, he said. The meeting was to afford Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, a former first lady, the opportunity to interact and thank supporters and members for their support in the just ended NDC congress in Sunyani. She lost the race for the party�s flagbearership at the congress to President John Atta Mills. Mr Adams said contributions of former President Rawlings to the growth of African democracy could not be over-emphasized and cautioned those who cast insinuations on the Rawlings family to desist as it adversely affected the image of Ghana in the international community. He appealed to members of the party who did not have the party�s identification cards to register and obtain one from their constituency offices. He said the ID cards were for committed, loyal and devoted members and asked all card bearing members to pay their dues promptly and regularly. He reminded Ghanaians who had attained 18 years and above to register when the voter�s registration exercise opens. Nana Konadu thanked those who supported her at the congress and commended the chiefs and people of Brong-Ahafo Region as well as the delegates for ensuring a peaceful congress. She said the NDC was a strong family under one umbrella and appealed to all members to bury their differences and unite so that the party could retain power in the 2012 general election. She said even though she was defeated at the congress, she and her husband, former President Rawlings, were determined and prepared to work hard for the party to win the 2012 election. Nana Konadu said the party could not retain power if the grassroots were not adequately empowered and strengthened and advised the party�s hierarchy to support those at the grassroots financially. She expressed concern about disunity within the rank and file of the NDC and said there was the need to tackle the problem and in time before the 2012 electioneering campaign kicks off. �Without unity the NDC cannot thrive in the contemporary political landscape. We will not sit down aloof and watch some few people within the party to send it into the political grave for their selfish gains�, nana Konadu said.