NDC Regional Chairmen�s Caucus Calls For Political Decorum

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Regional Chairmen�s Caucus on Friday called for intra and inter political parties decorum as the country prepares for the unprecedented sixth consecutive general elections next year under the Fourth Republic. Mr Kobina Ade Coker, Chairman of the Caucus noted: �The stakes for Election 2012 are high for both the ruling as well as opposition political parties but that should not cloud our national sense of patriotism, respect for institutions and self dignity. �Service to the nation is an honour the electorate and Ghanaians in general bestow on an individual or political party not based on personality attacks, antagonistic attitude or character assassination, but based on ability to transform the economy�. Mr Ade Coker who is also the NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman told the Ghana News Agency that politicians must avoid rudimentary democratic mistakes after 19 years of uninterrupted democratic development, saying that �We must demonstrate our steady democratic growth through our political behaviour�. He appealed to spokespersons, political leaders, media practitioners and personal assistants of key personalities to exhibit political maturity, tolerate opposing political views and debate issues based oF national interest. He said, �Ghana must use Election 2012 to demonstrate to the rest of the world that African democratic development has come of age...an African election without bloodshed is possible�. He appealed to political opponents, especially the opposition political parties, to respect democratic institutions, mandate and independence. �Our suggestions and recommendations to these bodies are not commands which must be obeyed at all cost...we must reason with the institutions on the issues at stake�. On the NDC�s parliamentary primaries Mr Ade Coker debunked assertions that he linked information out to media on the outcome of vetting of some aspiring parliamentary candidates in the region. He assured all parliamentary aspirants in both orphan constituencies as well as those who intend to contest NDC MPs of a level playing field. �All regional executives will continue to create enabling conditions for all our members to aspire to any position possible in the country. Mr Ade Coker appealed to members of the party to use internal mechanisms to redress and reduce the media war against national, regional and constituency executives. �We are collectively bond to join forces to engage our political opponents, our target towards election 2012 winning the presidential as well as majority parliamentary seats to continue with the better Ghana agenda,� he said. He said the Vetting Committee had presented its recommendation to the National Executives for their action and appealed to all aspiring candidates to exercise restraint and wait for the official position of the national leadership.