Ho, May 16, GNA - Dr Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has noted that the Foot Soldiers concept is the baby of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and not known to the party. He stressed that the first party to use the phrase was NPP and not NDC, and "any group or persons wearing that tag is more of NPP than NDC". Dr Kwabena Adjei, made this known when he addressed the opening session of the maiden conference of the Party's Regional Chairmen in Ho on Saturday. The three-day conference was on the theme: "Working together in fulfilment of the Better Ghana Agenda."
Dr Adjei explained that registered members of the party active at the grassroots but do not hold any party positions are either cadres or party activists and not foot soldiers. Those who are not registered with the party and do not hold party cards but identify with the cause of the party are either sympathisers or supporters.
Dr Adjei said people connected with the party in whatever capacity, should see those connections as an opportunity to serve and not for personal gains.
"If the reverse is the position then you've gotten it all wrong," he said.
Dr Adjei said unless such people were checked the country would be building a society of beggars and cannot progress.
"The problem is from us at the top, if we do nothing about it then let's forget it in 2012," he cautioned.
Dr Adjei therefore directed regional chairmen of the party to identify "the so called foot soldiers for disciplinary action as prescribed by the laws of the party.
"Let's be a little bit tough, otherwise we will be sacking the real cadres of the party," he said.
Dr Adjei said it would be suicidal for members and supporters of the NDC to be apathetic and quiet bystanders as "Forces from within are working against our unity and very survival".
The Volta Regional Chairman of the Party, Mr Kwasi Aboagye observed that "people who contributed nothing to party success have turned 180 degrees to be NDC".
"It is rather they who are always in front fomenting trouble," he emphasised.
"There are many who will not simply let power go", creating relationship problems between the Municipal and District Chief Executives on one hand, Members of Parliament on the other and between Chairmen and Regional Ministers.
Mr Aboagye said the regional chairmen have been consulting among themselves to find ways of addressing the problem.
"We will as a matter of urgency provide sterling leadership in a bid to put the pieces together." he said.
The regional minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode said: "We are all in this together. I would implore you to identify our genuine foot soldiers and explain our real situation to them and efforts. I believe when we genuinely reach out to them, the real foot soldiers will understand our agenda," he said.
In a solidarity message on behalf of Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Kodobisah commended the Volta Regional Executives (MDCEs) for their support to political office holders in the region and expressed the wish that their counterparts in other regions would do so in order to protect party unity and cohesion.
He said the MDCEs in the region would contribute their quota to strengthen the party in the region. Mr Kodobisah said the doors of the MDCEs were open for dialogue and consultation with all stakeholders. "In the Volta Region the MDCEs are the listening type," he said.
Mr Kodobisah appealed to the regional chairmen to deliberate on the pressures being brought to bear on the MDCEs and help find solutions to them. He said "hitting the streets" by members and supporters of the NDC should be a remote consideration in addressing grievances. 15 May 10
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