The largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) which is readying itself to take over the mantle of government has been officially declared broke. The stunning revelation was made by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum on an Accra-based radio station.
As a result, the Chairman further revealed that it had been evicted from its office premises and was in dire search of new premises.
Ohene Agyekum confessed additionally that a new landlord was demanding ¢3 million a month, besides the usual demand for an advance payment of ¢100 million, which he said was beyond the party’s means. He said after examining the consequences, all the 39 constituencies in the region pledged to contribute ¢1million each as their widow’s mite to offset the rent.
Ironically, while the Chairman boasted that the party’s membership had increased in the stronghold of the ruling party, he virtually went on his knees and appealed to every listener including the host of the programme, to assist the party.
“Kitiwa biara nswa”, he pleaded (to wit) “no amount is too small”. Mr. Ohene Agyekum disclosed that the party had up to January ending to pay up or risk losing the place. He explained that part of the money would be used to put the new offices into shape. The NDC was evicted from its old offices by the landlord after an accumulation of rent.
It was then speculated that the new political kid on the block, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) would pay for the building and use it as its regional offices.
However, this is not the first time the NDC is going on its knees, begging for financial support from the public. When the party chairman’s asset was attached by court, members instantly launched the “Kwabena Adjei Appeal Fund” to raise money to pay off his indebtedness to a leading firm, Ghana Leasing Company. The appeal was spearheaded by Danny Ofori-Atta, Chairman of the Egle Party and Madam Hilda Bolco to raise over ¢100 million to save Dr. Kwabena Adjei’s house at Adenta from being sold out.
Since the main opposition party lost power in the 2001general elections, its finances have never been the same again. It has been going round, cap in hand, begging for support from the public.
