DFP Defends Merger Pact With NDC

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) at the weekend stated that its recent merger with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was based on a wide national consultation spanning a number of months.

“It must be noted that the event of Saturday October 8, at which the final approval for the merger was given, was attended by all Functional Executive Committee members,” the DFP stated in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

The DFP statement signed by Mr John Ameka, Deputy General Secretary said any other member of the Party who decides especially Ms Ruby Aba Folson, former National Treasurer to re-join the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could do so as his or her democratic right.

The DFP described the recent attack on the merger by Ms Aba Folson as unfortunate stressing: “Ms Aba Folson came from the NPP to join the DFP, if she desires to trace back her root that is her choice."

The DFP said the decision of the Party to merge with the NDC was taken by an assembly of more than 500 delegates from all the 10 regions, represented by 20 delegates per region, and all the 27 constituencies in the Greater Accra Region.

The event was attended by DFP’s life patron, Dr Obed Asamoah, the 2008 Presidential Candidate, Emmanuel Ansah –Antwi and his running-mate Madam Patience Ameku, the Acting National Chairman, Nii Okaija Adamafio.

Others are the General Secretary, Bede Ziedeng, and the Deputy General Secretary, John Amekah, the National Organiser, Osei Piesie-Anto, and the Deputy National Organiser, Elsie Mensah.

The rest were; the National Public Education Officer Alhaji Hilla Bawa, the Acting National Women’s Organiser Hajia Hawawu, National Executive Council (NEC) members including Mr Ishmael Ayitteh. The only person who refused to attend was Madam Folson.

“And so it cannot be said by any stretch of imagination that the decision was taken by a few people,” the statement said.

Ms Aba Folson at a press conference stated that unlike in 2008 when the DFP decided to back Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, NPP’s Presidential Candidate, in the second round of the Presidential ballot, the Party toured the whole country to engage in consultations before the decision was taken, but the merger with NDC was taken without any such consultations.

The DFP described the assertion as “palpable falsehood… We believe that, this was a piece of propaganda work entrusted unto Ms Aba Folson, with the view to undermining the well-intended decision of the Party to merge with the NDC”.

The Party noted that Ms Aba Folson participated in the Ordinary NEC meeting which included two representatives, from the 10 regions and all the Functional Executive Committee members, which gave the initial approval for the merger.

“Indeed, at the said meeting, Ms Aba Folson was selected to be a member of a seven-member committee responsible for the winding up of the Party to which she agreed.

“She was also selected to move the vote of thanks at the expanded meeting of the NEC at the Centre for National Culture in Accra where the merger was officially adopted.

“So for her to turn around to allege that the decision was taken by a few people is most disingenuous”.