NDC needs unity to win Election 2008 -Presidential Candidates

Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - The four candidates vying for the position of a flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday stressed unity as the most important factor that would ensure victory for the Party in Election 2008.

Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and Mr Eddie Annan, who took turns to address a national stakeholders' forum, indicated that upholding the Party's interest was paramount in consolidating intra-party democracy.

The forum dubbed: "Family Meeting" was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Netherlands Institute of Multiparty Democracy as part of efforts to deepen intra-party democracy and to provide a platform to the candidates to sell their vision to the public. Alhaji Mahama said people must be allowed to freely make their choice of a flagbearer, adding that intolerance of other peoples' views would not promote unity in the Party.

He said while it was natural for supporters of the various candidates to disagree on issues, they should, however, not fight each other.

Dr Spio-Garbrah said there was the need for the Party to build alliances with others to ensure victory in 2008.

He pledged his commitment to focus on re-branding and marketing of the Party to make it attractive and appealing to Ghanaians. Prof. Mills said the success of the Party must be put above any individual interest, adding it was the duty of all to forge for oneness before and after the National Delegates' Congress.

Mr Annan said he would bring his business acumen to bear on the development and forward march of the Party.

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament, who spoke on 93The Role of the Parliamentary Caucus in Deepening Intra-Party Democracy=94, said it was a critical prerequisite of any party aiming to participate in shaping the political will of the people.

He said since the Party was the driving force in the Parliamentary caucus' activities it was important that it knew the views, position and thinking of the Party to be able to articulate and support it in Parliament.

He said the increasingly divergent and incompatible stance of various organs, caucuses, structures and individuals in the Party did not augur well for its forward march.

Mr Bagbin urged the Party members to overcome the infighting and personality clashes in order to forge ahead in unity, discipline and to remain focused to win the hearts and minds of Ghanaians. "We must fashion out mechanisms and tools that will unite our Party Leadership, cadres and followers so as to foster confidence in our Party and create trust and hope in the minds of Ghanaians."

To deepen intra-party democracy, Mr Bagbin called for direct and continuous flow of communication between the various groups and structures and the Parliamentary caucus on Party and policy issues. Besides, Party members must openly express their views at meetings and debate frankly issues confronting the nation.

Mr Bagbin said the culture of gossip must be exorcised while people must be disciplined enough to agree to disagree, saying this was necessary to engender respect and enhance trust and confidence in the Party.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, who is founder of the Party, described all the candidates contesting to lead the Party as men of value and great asset to the NDC. 12 Dec. 06