NDC needs unity to move forward -Asamoah

Dr Obed Asamoah, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday said the party needed trust, tolerance and magnanimity to overcome divisions that were rocking the party's unity.

He said pro-Kwesi Botchwey and pro-Mills factions and the entire leadership of the party needed a change of attitude to move the party forward.

Dr Asamoah in a press statement titled: Moving The Party Forward" said, "the pro-Botchwey forces have not committed any crime or breached party rules by seeking and working for the flagbearership of Dr Kwesi Botchwey. They have only sought to deepen democracy in the party".

He said the legitimate concern of the rank and file of the NDC for unity should not make them "sweep under the carpet the contribution of the rank and file to the disunity, nor give rise to the false hope that once solved the problems of the party are over."

He said: "The Kwesi Botchwey supporters continue to suffer hostility, name-calling and marginalisation in the hands of some pro-Mills elements.

"They are seen as rebels or traitors to be shunned or driven out of the NDC. Pro-Mills forces set the agenda for party activities without the active involvement of pro-Botchwey forces resulting in the marginalisation of party structures and the absence of the collective involvement of the entire Leadership in crucial decision-making."

He said the party's inability to raise funds and character assassinations were all being blamed on him Obed Asamoah "in order to hang him as untrustworthy and undeserving of the chairmanship of the party".

He said "efforts are already afoot to throw out of office pro-Botchwey MPs and other officeholders and in particular to secure resolutions of no confidence in the Chairman and to foster an early National Congress to throw him out of office as if this would help fund-raising or improve the chances of the party at winning elections.

"Recently, we have witnessed the shock waves sent through the party by the resignation of Mr Kofi Asante, MP for Amenfi West - an episode that may be a prelude to others," he predicted.

He said it should be possible to assuage hurt feelings and address individual grievances through a diplomatic offensive by the flag-bearer.

He warned that if the founder played a central role in matters affecting the party it "will unfortunately damage the image of the flag-bearer and the electoral fortunes of the party."

He said that was the more reason why some of them were "wary of attending amorphous meetings or press conferences organised for or by the Founder".

Dr Asamoah said there was the need to re-define the role of the Founder to suit present day circumstances.

He denied that he was engaged in a power struggle with the Founder and that was why the party was having problems.

"People who foster this perception are doing so to mask their miscalculations."

He said the party was in dire need of serious analysis instead of looking for scapegoats.