My silence is deliberate - Mills

Accra, Jan. 12, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Former Vice President and Flag Bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2004 Presidential Elections, on Thursday broke his long silence on developments in the Party, but only to admit that his silence was deliberate and that he was not ready to make comments on them. In response to a question on whether he did say that those who had resigned from the Party should go, he said: "I think my silence is a disappointment to the press and so they are forcing to put words into my mouth to make me talk."

Prof. Mills said he shared the position of the Party's National Executive on the matter, which was that those who had resigned should come back to the Party.

However, he added, "my own comments are in my head and they will remain in my head.

"I am sorry to disappoint the press but I cannot do anything about your disappointment," he said, wearing his usual "asomdwehene" smiles. Professor Mill made these statements at the maiden press conference of the Party's new National Executive, which was addressed by the Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei.

Dr Adjei addressed issues of the resignation of leading party members, alleged violence, intimidation and hooliganism at the Party's National Congress, media reports about the Party and general national issues.

The press conference was attended by leading functionaries of the Party including current and former Members of Parliament MPs, former NDC Ministers of State, members of NDC National Council and party loyalists. Dr Nii Josiah Ayeh, former General Secretary of the Party, who was suspended for his alleged attempt to join the New Patriotic Party, was also present.