NDC constituency chairmen condemn regional secretary

The National Democratic Congress chairmen of the 21 constituencies in Ashanti Region who recently passed a resolution in support of the candidature of Professor John Atta Mills as the party's presidential candidate for the 2004 elections have condemned the Regional Secretary, Sly Akakpovie, for making "unfortunate and baseless" statements on their action.

In a statement signed by Kwame Boateng, chairman of the Manhyia constituency on behalf of his colleagues and issued in Kumasi on Wednesday, the chairmen said the Regional Secretary had no "authority whatsoever and does not have the mandate of the regional executive committee or any of the constituency chairmen who signed the resolution to do what he did."

The Regional Secretary in a statement last week, described the action of the constituency chairmen who signed the resolution in favour of Professor Atta Mills, as a frivolous, preponderous, null and void and of no effect." The chairmen described the action by Akakpovie as "tantamount to arrogance".

It said the resolution that was passed at Obuasi and read on behalf of the chairmen was based on a solemn reflection on the sterling qualities of Professor Mills, adding that, "it represents the genuine and sincere expression of support for goodwill towards Professor Atta Mills for very good reasons".

The statement advised the Regional Secretary to "desist from usurping the authority of the regional executive committee of the party, its secretariat or the constituencies".