Mills to Contest NDC Presidential Slot

Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice-President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate in the 2000 elections, would contest to be the party's flag-bearer in the 2004 elections.

Nana Alex Asamoah, Western Regional Chairman of the party told newsmen at Takoradi on Sunday, that he was speaking on authority.

He said no family member of Prof. Mills has ever stood against the former vice-president's bid to contest the party's flag bearer slot and described the issue in some media publications as mere speculations".

The NDC regional chairman noted with concern the "smear campaign" being mounted against Prof. Mills by some top members of the party, and called for a stop to his "gradual destruction".

"It is unfortunate the stand taken by some members from the party's leadership to mount a campaign of smear and destruction of Prof. Mills," he said. "This campaign must stop in the best interest of the NDC". He said nomination for the party's presidential slot has been

opened and called on the "faceless elements" to come out boldly to contest the position in December and stop the "machinations which do not augur well for the party".

Nana Asamoah said at the moment, Prof. Mills is the best marketable material, and the party in the region would lend its support for him and stand solidly behind his election bid.

He asked the Convention People's Party (CPP) to join forces with the NDC because, "that option will be in their own interest". He said the NDC inherited the mantle of Nkrumah's progressive ideas, enabling the party to formulate its philosophy of "Social Democratic" agenda for the development of the country.

According to Nana Asamoah, some CPP leaders who have accepted ministerial and high appointments in the present government "are only leading true Nkrumahist astray".

He criticised the government for appointing more Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Special Assistants contrary to their campaign promise and paid in dollars, to the detriment of the national economy.

He called for the abolishing of the post of special assistants or deputy ministers, since they would perform the same functions. Nana Asamoah also described as a hoax the recent publication to the effect that 32 district chief executives have been cleared by an audit report and are to be paid their End-of Service Benefits.

He said as at now, no district chief executive has been written to collect any benefit.