& Kuku hill will remain my campaign headquarters… Prof. Mills
The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress Professor J. E. A. Mills has in an interview with the dailyEXPRESS denied reports suggesting that he has chosen his running mate for the December 2008 poll. “I assure you that I shall sit back and let the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party make the choice and whoever they nominate becomes my running-mate”.
Speaking to the paper while waiting for guests to his Christmas soiree for journalists, the former Vice President Prof Mills said it is not true that he has made any statements or indications pointing to who he wants to partner him.
Some sections of the media have among others reported that Mills’ 2004 election running mate Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni is his choice, while others have made linkages to other personalities including John Mahama, Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Alban Bagbin.
But the NDC leader insists that such reports are baseless, adding he has a very minimal role to play in the choice of his vice presidential candidate for the 2008 elections.
Speaking about his choice of campaign centre which is de-linked from the party headquarters, Professor Mills emphasized that where the centre is located is not as important as the team that will be working on the strategy for the elections.
Mills has been criticized by some including his own party people for an uncoordinated campaign strategy that is said to have partly resulted from his office been outside the party headquarters. He however explains that the uncoordinated 2004 strategy was rather the result of the lack of unity and strident divisions in the party.
The current unity and sense of belonging within the party leadership according to him, is a good omen for the NDC.
Indicating his resolve to keep his Osu Kuku Hill campaign office for lack of space at the party headquarters, Professor Mills said what is necessary is the campaign team meeting regularly and strategizing for a united course for victory in the 2008 elections.
“…campaign units; they don’t all have to be under one roof. The important thing is that they get together and plan and it happens. So if I have my offices which I will continue to keep, it does not mean that I was not part of the campaign efforts. The problem we had in 2004 really was that my chairman and I had lots of issues. So we appeared to be moving in separate directions. So long as there is unity as it is now in the NDC, it does not matter… we can get together and agree on issues,” he explained.
“The strategies that we used in 2004 were dictated by the circumstances of the time. We did our very best in view of the difficulties that we had. And I am saying that luckily, this time round there is unity, and I think we will even be able to do better.”
