Former President Rawlings Honoured In London

Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of the Republic of Ghana received a tumultuous welcome when he arrived at the impressive London’s Marriot Hotel in Regents Park to be honoured at a dinner dance for the excellent services he gave Ghana.

The event which was organised by the NDC UK & Ireland branch was attended by party members across Europe, NDC sympathisers and Ghanaians from all walks of life living in Europe.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a beautifully crafted horse in bronze which was presented to the former President by the members of the UK & Ireland branch of the NDC. The President thanked all present at the ceremony, particularly the executive and members of the NDC UK & Ireland branch for the great honour accorded him.

In his speech, President Rawlings took his time and analytically explained the vicious lies and vindictiveness that are being directed at him and the NDC by his opponents. He said, he would not be intimidated by such action but would continue to strive for the truth to prevail until every Ghanaian is emancipated from the clutches of the hardships they are currently being subjected to by the NPP government.

The following speeches were made on the occasion.

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN NDC UK& IRELAND BRANCH- 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – 25TH OCTOBER 2003 – MARIOTT HOTEL

Good evening and welcome to what will be remembered as a historic occasion within the annanls of NDC. May I take this opportunity to introduce the members of the High Table.

We are proud of our achievement as a branch of the NDC. This year we are ten years old and in that period we have contributed immensely to the shaping and moulding of Ghana our beloved country.

In the early days prior to our formation, few where willing to be openly identified as supporters of the NDC. This was largely due to the hostile antics of a few individuals who subsequently became the nucleus of the NPP party. However, you cannot suppress a good thing for very long and the NDC UK and Ireland branch was born with its first chairman as the late Mr. Torto. The first vice chairman was Mr Joe Gans-Lartey who is still part of our present executive today. Our current executive is a mixture of the old and the new which is what our flag bearer Professor Mils has always promoted.

After the initial two years local election took place and a new executive was heralded into office. Many who were with us from that point on were clearly only interested in being part of what was the wining side. Opposition teaches you one thing. It shows you your real friends. However, it is correct that some people left us because we had not treated them well. On that note, I am grateful to all of you for attending today, but more importantly I must express my sincere appreciation to all of you for your steadfast loyalty and allegiance in the face of adversity, trials and even harassment.

After major successes as a branch between 1996 and 2000 we fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, lost the general election in 2000. Many had predicted the end of the NDC as a political party and at the very least the end of the branch in London. Little did they know that the sleeping giant had just awakened.

I am the first chair of the NDC UK & Ireland branch whilst in opposition and I stand proud. As you can see we are not only very much alive but ready to assist in the battle to regain power in the 2004 election. My executive comprises Ms B Demanya (Vice-Chair), Mr Kwasi Dzirasa (Secretary), Mr. Alfred Boyan (Organiser), Our MC for the day, Dr. Lawrence Akwetey (PRO), Mr. Kwame Debra (Treasurer), Mr Sam Quaye (Asst Secretary), Mrs. Diane Aidoo (Womens Organiser), Mr Albert Adjei (Asst. Treasurer), Mrs. Artemis Burton (Welfare Officer) Mr. Joe Ceasar (Youth Organiser), Mr. Joe Gans-Lartey (former Vice-Chair) and now a Member and finally Ms. Emilia Holme (member) who incidentally is also contesting in the NDC primaries for the Klottey Korley constituency which covers Osu, Adabraka, Asylum Down, Tudu and parts of circle to the Odor River. As Chair, I take this opportunity to say thank you to each and everyone of them for their selfless support and sacrifice that has been necessary to sustain this Branch. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

As a party there was a need to rebuild and that is what exactly what has been done. The first part of rebuilding is to acknowledge ones mistakes and render apologises. We have done so. Indeed, with each passing day of an NPP government we realise the magnitude of the result of the 2000 election and its effects on the people of Ghana. We apologise to the people of Ghana and our supporters for letting them down possibly at a time when they needed us most.

Some of us where arrogant, complacent and had deviated from the path set us by our Founder. Indeed, he warned us all at the Sekondi congress some years before, that the rate at which we where going, we were putting the election in jeopardy. Prophetic words they turn out to be.

However, it is now clear that the NPP government is in a state of stagnation, devoid of ideas and showing all the symptoms of a party about to lose power. Put quite simply, a government in disarray.

Governments lose elections and opposition parties must be in a fit state to take advantage of such lapses, lest they pass you by.

Let me assure of one thing! The NDC is ready once again to govern!

In our flag bearer Professor Atta Mills we have a leader who has the necessary tenacity, creditability, experience and leadership qualities to make the change that is required in Ghana. He has demonstrated an uncanny diplomacy in calming areas of potential disharmony within the party. This was always a pre-requisite for our success. It has been done. We can now see clearly the unity within the party required to propel us to victory. We are singing from the same hymn sheet. We commend the party for The Accra “March for Survival” and the Kumasi “Kafo Didi” demonstrations. Videos of the Kumasi Demonstration are on sale and if one has any doubts as to the outcome of the 2004 election, please watch the video. In 2004 it will not be “positive change” but “ Neccesary Change”. In the Chairman of our party Dr. Obed Asamoah, we have a depth of knowledge and experience of the Ghanaian political scene that is second to none. His organisational prowess has been proven time and time again over the years and therefore the Party is in good hands.

Fellow Akatamansonians, we are in a war of attrition, a war to win the hearts and mind of our people. Within this war are various battles and different tactics are require for each battle. People will deal with things differently at each occasion. Waste not a moment trying to analyse or criticise any colleague’s style. Let each of us fight our battles the way we know best. In any situation involving a colleague, at best encourage, at worst, stay silent. All the five fingers are not the same but each finger is required to have a firm grip.

Let us concentrate our energies and strength on the abysmal performance of the NPP government and what a performance it has been:

1) Where are the hundred thousand jobs a year
2) Where is all the foreign direct investment
3) Where is the free education
4) Where is the zero tolerance for corruption
5) Where is President Kuffour? Is he on holiday in Ghana or is he back at work abroad
6) Where is the transparency and independence of our judiciary? The quality grain judgement gives a new meaning to stretching the law
7) The extension of the fast track court system into the criminal court takes the “just” out of “justice”. That leaves “ice” and if you an NDC official it is definitely frosty in those courts. We jest! But these are serious issues.

In our history we have never been able to obtain as much revenue as we have in the last two and a half years. Petrol prices have increased dramatically, so has electricity and water. All these increases have been carried out without any regard for the ordinary Ghanaian. Revenue from cocoa has increased both in terms of the price and quantity. Gold prices have also increased. To compound the situation further, we have been able under President Kuffour’s government to increase our borrowing from 41 trillion cedis to 63 trillions cedis in two and a half years. This from a government that was highly sceptical about the previous governments borrowing. But it has just been declared that poverty in Ghana has increased notwithstanding the above increase revenue. QUESTION? Where is the money?

On that analysis, you do not have to be a genius to see why it is reported that corruption has increased in Ghana. This is in era of zero tolerance for corruption. God help us if the NPP government granted a 1% tolerance level for corruption.

This state of affairs demonstrates the following clearly 1) Not withstanding its faults and we acknowledge them, the NDC government was a highly competent one.

2) President Rawlings and Professor Mills steered this country extremely well throughout their tenure and especially between 1998-2000 when gold prices fell, cocoa prices fell, donor funds were withheld and yet poverty was better then than now. On NPP performance President Rawlings and Professor Atta Mills are magicians.

What is Professor Mills NDC offering the people of Ghana for starters Professor Mills has openly stated a reduction in government expenditure. At approximately a hundred thousand dollars a trip for a presidential excursion, the excessive trips of President Kuffour and the size of his entourage should be curtailed. After all, what is the use of our foreign missions. A reduction in the presidential motor-cade which currently include between fifteen to twenty vehicles would assist?

Hidden taxes within the system would be removed with special emphasis on the price of petrol. However , before I take my seat, it is imperative that I make mention of one of the focal reasons for this celebration.

There is sacrifice and then there is sacrifice beyond the call of duty. There is love of ones country and then there is Patriotism which has no bounds. There are Presidents and then there is His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings.

From this man the has been the sheer effort, progress, development, a peaceful hand-over , the likes of which are almost alien in the sub- region, freedom of the press which contributed in no small measure to the demise of his own party, stability which is priceless.

And how have we rewarded him; by removing his courtesies. By forming a National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) which would have been more appropriately named “Name Rawlings Commission” since it is all about him. By trying to totally criminalize his whole era.

We in the NDC UK& Ireland branch want to make it clear that our support for our Founder is undiminished, and if you know the man, you will realise that he will carry on fighting for our country unperturbed. Today we want to say Thank You to our Founder and to let the world know that we are really grateful to him for the progress achieved during his tenure.

On that note , I welcome you to join us celebrate our 10th Anniversary and hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.

Long Live JJ Rawlings,
Long Live Prof. ATTA Mills,
Long live NDC.
Over and above all, God Bless Ghana.

ALEX SEGBEFIA CHAIRMAN

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. SAMUEL OFOSU-AMPOFO NATIONAL ORGANISER OF THE NDC AT THE DINNER DANCE OF THE U.K. & IRELAND BRANCH OF THE NDC – 25TH OCTOBER 2003

Mr. Chairman,

Your Excellencies, Former President of Ghana and Former 1st Lady of Ghana, Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, All other Protocol duly observed, Fellow Akatamansonians,

I wish on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the The general membership of the NDC in Ghana, and on my own behalf To convey to you fraternal greetings on the occasion of this dinner dance and to congratulate you for the 10 years of your existence as a branch.

Let me also quickly add that I am indeed privileged to be with you to participate in this event which is a clear indication that the NDC Party is not only alive and vibrant back in Ghana alone but it is equally firmly established in all our external branches particularly the U.K. and North American branches that are determined to keep the flame of the NDC burning until we return to power in 2005.

Mr. Chairman,

It is a well-known fact that after the NDC lost the 2000 election, the party and its former appointees and some public servants perceived to have sympathies towards the NDC have been subjected to all kinds of harassment, intimidation and humiliation, with the sole purpose of causing the disintegration of the NDC. This took various forms and methods:-

They included deliberate leaks to the press, misinformation and outright lies fed to the general public about the NDC government. There were threats of hauling former appointees before the law courts on alleged charges of corruption. There was the harassment and intimidation aspect. Hon. E.T. Mensah’s arrest and detention in BNI cells as a sitting Member of Parliament for more than 48 hours for “whispering into somebody’s ears” easily comes to mind. The seizure of Hon. Mohammed Mumuni’s car by government agents and the proceed on leave syndrome” visited on public and civil servants were all intended to reduce the morale of members and supporters of the NDC which would ultimately lead to the disintegration of the party, but the NDC remained resilient.

The party having come to the realization that if it did not stand up to the rough house tactics that the NPP was employing, it would soon be faced with despondency and frustration in the rank and file of its membership, decided to undertake a national re- organisation exercise. The re-organisation exercise covered all regions, all constituencies, right down to the branches. Indeed the re-organisation exercise did not only rekindle the spirit of members of the party at the grassroots level, it also succeeded in stemming the virtual siege the government and the media had laid on the party.

The minority NDC Caucus in Parliament also took up the challenge and fought very stoutly and gallantly in Parliament in defence of the party whilst putting the NPP government on its toes.

It was the minority in parliament that broke the Scandalous Sahara oil deal. It was the minority that broke the Peugeot scandal. The same Minority refused to vote for the now infamous I.F.C. loan scam which turned out to be a mirage.

Since then there has been no turning back and the combined efforts of the main party and the parliamentary Caucus have enabled the party to expose the ineptitude, incompetence and the Corrupt practices of the NPP government.

The NDC went to Congress in April 2002 to elect new executives to run the affairs of the party. Contrary to media speculation and predictions that the party was going to break up after the Congress, the event came off successfully. The party survived the initial misunderstandings and re-focused its attention on the non- performance of the NPP government, rather than being engaged in internal wrangling and bickering.

Then in December 2002, we again went to Congress to elect our Flagbearer for the 2004 elections. The contest generated a lot of heat between the supporters of the two contestants, Prof, J.E.A. Mills and Dr. Kwesi Botchwey. Eventually the Congress also passed of successfully with Pro. J. E.A. Mills being elected as our Flagbearer.

Again being a strong and resilient party, the N.D.C. was able to manage the post-congress fall-outs to the extent that, today, we have a one-NDC Party with everyone working towards the achievement of victory in the 2004 elections.

After the election of the flagbearer, the NEC through the FEC drew up a comprehensive and elaborate programme of action for the party from January 2003 to December 2004. Due to lack of adequate funding, the programme Is not being implemented the way it was planned. The implementation is being done piece-meal and it is contingent upon the availability of funds. At this point, I wish to make an appeal to all and sundry particularly our external branches to see the need and urgency in coming with assistance to the party to enable it implement its programmes. I have heard of people complaining that the party is not doing as much as they desire. Parts of the solution lie in providing the needed funding. That is the challenge I will like to throw to all those who are eager to see the party back in government.

The NDC during the April 200 Congress also adopted as its philosophy, the principle of Social Democracy. These principles have been outlined in a booklet which is out for sale.

In addition to its new philosophy, the party also launched new membership ID cards. The New NDC membership ID Card has distinct features which include the fact that they are specific to each constituency and not on general application as was the case in the past.

Mr. Chairman,

The party has also taken other decisions which I have to inform you about. Currently the party has open nominations for primaries to be conducted for the election of parliamentary candidates in orphaned constituencies. So far the response has been positive except for Ashanti and Eastern regions where the exercise is yet to generate the level of enthusiasm being experienced in other regions.

Nominations will however be opened for Constituencies with sitting MPs sometime next year. So those of you who are interested in contesting should try to be conversant with guidelines governing the primaries. I also wish to inform you that a Manifesto Committee has been set up which is seriously preparing our 2004 Manifesto.

Mr. Chairman,

The Electoral Commission intends replacing the old Voters Register with a new one. The exercise is scheduled to take off next year. I will therefore urge you to endeavour to come home to register, so that come December 2004, you can exercise your franchise in bringing NDC back to power.

I wish to assure you that the unity in the party at the leadership level has improved and there is understanding amongst the current Executives. This was demonstrated during the “March for Survival” and “Kafo didi” demonstrations, which were both very successful.

Mr. Chairman,

The one big question to ask, is, what are the chances of the NDC in the 2004 elections? I can say without fear of any contradiction, that the political ground is now very favourable for us. Indeed, it is very, very good for us. All we need to do is to close our ranks, remain united and with hard work and necessary resources, victory will surely smile at us in the 2004 elections.

Thank you all for your attention and may God bless us all. Long live the U.K. & Ireland branch of the N.D.C.

Long live the UK branch of the NDC,

Long live the N.D.C,

Long live Ghana.