Moves to GAG J.J, Obed

Barely three months to its 6th delegates national congress to elect a flag-bearer to contest the 2004 Presidential elections, the Ghanaian Chronicle has established that the Council of Elders of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is bearing its teeth at likely conflicts to hit the party as a result of the stiff contest expected and are putting measures in place to forestall a bitter rivalry.

Among the measures are plans to keep the outspoken founder, Dr J.J Rawlings, and political rival, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah mute over their preference of a presidential candidate.

This reporter can confirm that fear of having confusion and rank and file of the party on its hands leading to serious mudslinging, the Council of Elders of thee NDC has resolved to haul anyone, be it the founder or chairman before its disciplinary committee, if the person openly declarers support for a presidential candidate.

Baba Jamal, deputy General Secretary of the NDC, confirmed the decision to haul anyone who violates the directive before the committee in an interview on Tuesday morning but said it was not aimed at any particular people.

Chronicle sources at the party headquarters, however, told this reporter late on Tuesday afternoon that the decision was taken to keep Rawlings and Dr. Asamoah mute over their choice of a presidential candidate because their utterances on such issues undermine democracy within the party.

According to the source, even though it is clear Rawlings supports former Vice President Mills and Dr. Asamoah kicking against his candidature, it is in the party's interest that they desist from further comment so as to discourage others from the same act. The source added that any other executive member who violates the rule would also face disciplinary action to be taken against the would-be culprit.

Jamal in Tuesday's interview was, however, optimistic that all executives and members alike would abide by the new directive. On eligibility of candidates for the presidential slot, Baba Jamal said, the person must be citizen of Ghana and a card bearing and paid-up member of the NDC. He said the aspirant must also be a known active member of the party for at least four years, adding there is a committee that would vet all candidates.

When asked on the eligibility of Dr. Kwesi Botchwey who had already declared his intention to contest, he said Dr. Botchwey is a member of the party, so he expects him to have a party card and pay his dues regularly. He, however, said all these details are not available at the headquarters but would be traced at the branch or constituency level when the individual files his nomination.

Quizzed as to how the Council of Elders is handling the apparent factions being created by the Dr. Asamoah and Rawlings factors, the deputy General Secretary dismissed the suggestion that factions existed in the NDC, stressing that having divergent opinions does not mean factionalism.

He said the national executive members do meet at all times and those perceived by the media to be involved in factions sit around the table to take common decisions, adding it would be wrong for anyone to imagine factionalism within the party. He intoned that even at national executive meetings, divergent opinions arise but only one decision is finally taken, stating, What's happening in the NDC is good for internal democracy within the party'.

When asked to comment on the likely conflict Dr. Asamoah's ambition to bring on board such old guards as Captain Kojo Tsikata and the Reform boys, some of whom do not see eye-to-eye with ex-President Rawlings would cause, bearing in mind they would have to work with the founder in the interest of the party, Baba Jamal said, "They are welcome, provided they come with good intentions, Rawlings will work with them in the interest of the NDC".

When reminded that in the event of Professor Attah-Mills victory at the congress, thereby becoming the leader as mandated by the NDC constitution, ex-President Rawlings could have unlimited powers in the party, since the former Vice President had promised consulting him 24 hours a day, he said, consulting someone does not mean taking all his advice. "President Kufuor consults with the national Council of Elders but that does not mean he takes all their advice", the gentle-speaking deputy general secretary of the NDC said.