All I Ask For Is An Even Playing Field - Atta Mills

Accra, May 22, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Leader and Presidential Candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has told the United States that all he and the party were interested in, was an "even playing field" as this year's general election drew near.

Professor Atta Mills said this when Mr. Thomas Dougherty, Director of West African Affairs, of the U.S. Department of State, called on him at his Kuku Hill Office in Osu.

The NDC Leader reiterated the point that all the NDC wanted was for the NPP government to make sure that it respected the rules of Ghana's electoral process and would do nothing that would give cause for heightened tension after the elections.

He gave the assurance that he and his party knew the democratic terrain of Ghana and would do everything within their remit to ensure that the election was non-violent.

"As Leader of the NDC, I will do everything to maintain peace before and after the elections," Professor Mills said. "However, it would be difficult to prevail on aggrieved persons this time around if what happened in 2004, by way of the NPP declaring itself winner, repeats itself," Professor Mills added.

The NDC Leader did not hide the fact that some happenings as regards this year's election were giving genuine cause for concern, and asked the United States and the international community to continuously keep an eye on Ghana.

Professor Mills mentioned the issue of the unacceptable over 100% growth in voter population between 2004 and 2006 in 13 constituencies in the Ashanti Region.

The NDC Leader welcomed international observers to be part of this year's electoral process, not that he lacked faith in the local observers but that there was the need for all to be on board to make sure Ghana did not go down the slippery path of post election occurrences elsewhere.

"It is matter of fact that America upholds the tenets of true democracy and it is my hope that you will do whatever it takes to ensure that Ghana's nascent democracy finds solid feet to walk on," the NDC Leader told Mr. Dougherty.

"I have had occasion to ask the Carter Centre and other international bodies to keep their focus on Ghana throughout this year because it is important to closely monitor the whole process and not only what happens on election day," he added.

On becoming president, Professor Mills said he would be president for Ghana and not president for the NDC and would make sure that opportunities abound for all, and not for only a selected few. He pledged that his government, with the benefit of lessons from elsewhere, would make sure that Ghana's discovery of oil remained a blessing and not a curse.

On behalf of the United States government, Mr. Dougherty pledged that Washington would support only one group- which is the people of Ghana, and not any political party.

"We will pay attention to what happens in Ghana, but we will stay neutral. Washington will not take sides," said Mr. Dougherty. Mr. Dougherty also expressed his appreciation to Professor Mills for his commitment to a non-violent election and said his government would do everything it could to impress upon all those who mattered in the electoral process, to make sure that there was an even playing field for all parties. Among those present were Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, a leading member of the NDC, while Mr. Dougherty was accompanied by Mr. Brian W. Shukan, First Secretary and Chief of Political Section, U.S Embassy, Accra. 22 May 08