'I will win' - Prof Mills

On Thursday, a cheerful Prof John Evans Atta Mills who spoke to the Editor-in-Chief of The Statesman simply said, “I will win.”

Asked as to why he was so confident of victory, he answered: all signs were “positive.” He, moreover, promised to say more on his vision for the party after tomorrow’s special congress at University of Ghana, Legon, to choose a challenger for President Kufuor in 2004.

His opponent, Dr Kwesi Botchwey, when told of the Professor’s confidence coolly replied, “I’m glad to hear that,” adding each side has reasons to be confident. The Statesman spoke to him on his way back from Accra after completing the last lap of his marathon campaign, which took him to Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Western Regions. He said the response he received has been “excellent.”

The former Minister of Finance has however, dismissed reports that former President Rawlings threatens to split the party if his prodigy, Mills doesn’t win tomorrow. “I don’t think he would do that,” said he. Botchwey expressed the hope that “When the pressure has died down, I think we shall all look at the long-term goal of the party and move on from these short-term difficulties.”

Can you work with Rawlings? “Yes,” Botchwey responded, acknowledging, “Rawlings is the founder of the party- I look forward to working with him.

Kwesi Botchwey was also convinced that he can unite the party if given the mandate. “Absolutely,” he said. “I have been preaching reconciliation and unity throughout the party. I think I can bring people together, the various factions within the party and also the many others who left the party.”

He further explained, “the people who left the party did so basically because of the same concern we have set ourselves up to deal with- building on the party’s internal democracy.” He expressed the hope that under his leadership those who left the party and the many others who just refused to give active support to the party will be motivated enough to return. He further observed that Ghana needs “the two leading parties to be vibrant and strong.”

The Chairman of the NDC also spoke to The Statesman on Thursday but was reluctant to be drawn into the rivalry. Asked to comment on the threat of an irreparable split facing his party, Dr Obed Asamoah was adamant the party is far from doom.

“Whoever wins will get the support of the entire party,” said he. Aware of the massive task ahead after Saturday’s primaries, chairman Obed assured NDC sympathisers and Ghanaians in general that “We’ll try to bring the party together,” after electing a presidential candidate.”