NDC will never be silenced by threats of prosecution

Kumasi, Oct. 19, GNA - A functionary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that no amount of harassment by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government or threats of prosecution of former Ministers will silence members.

Mr Offei Agyemang, a member of the NDC Research Committee, said threats of harassment and prosecution from the government would only embolden them to speak against the bad policies of the NPP government.

He was addressing a women's forum, organised by the Asokwa East constituency women's wing of the NDC in Kumasi on Saturday. It was under the theme: "Election 2004 - The role of NDC women".

Mr Agyemang, who is also a member of the National Youth Working Committee of the NDC, urged the youth to devote ample time to work in concert with the leadership of the party to win more people to its fold to enable it to win the coming general elections.

He said winning the general election was crucial to the youth of the NDC, cautioning, "If the NPP should win the 2004 election, the youth should remember that the NPP will shift its harassments and persecution from leaders of the NDC to the youth".

Mr. Sly Akakpovie, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, called on the women executives at the wards and branches to focus their campaign more on encouraging people of 18 years and above to register when the exercise for a new voters register starts.

He said this was vital as it is only when many people in the party register that it can increase its votes at the 2004 polls and "our chances of winning enhanced".

Hajia Ajara Abdalah, Asokwa East NDC constituency women's organiser, said plans had already been worked out for them to use inter-personal contacts and house-to-house campaign to canvass for more members for the party.

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, stressed the need for unity of purpose and respect for each other's views amongst all members and sympathisers of the party at all levels.