Ho, Sept 17, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said on Wednesday that no intimidation or harassment would deter the forward march of the party in wresting power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in next year's elections.
Opening a day's strategic workshop for NDC regional field organisers, Prof. Mills said Ghanaians are currently looking up to the party to salvage them from the economic hardships facing them.
The workshop, whose participants were drawn from the Western, Central, Eastern, Greater-Accra and Volta regions, was sponsored by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Institute for Multi-Party Democracy of Netherlands, working with political parties in Parliament. Prof Mills told the field organisers and supporters of the party who attended the opening ceremony that the promises of the government would never be fulfilled and therefore, asked them to work hard for victory in the 2004 elections.
He said: "it is your responsibility to be committed and to die a little for the party," adding that the changing circumstances have made the people to look up to the NDC for their comfort and welfare. Prof Mills said the party has competent and forceful members to offer a better alternative of governing the nation.
He said he would continue to point out the mistakes of the government despite any obstacles to keep the government on its toes since life has become burdensome for the people.
Prof Mills advised party members to elect best candidates during the primaries that would soon be conducted to represent them at the constituencies.
Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah, National Chairman of the party, said the workshop was intended to expose the participants to the techniques of political organisation and checking electoral fraud.
He said it is therefore, important that, "you take this exercise seriously," and advised them not to make unsubstantiated allegations or indulge in character assassination.
"That together with threats of instability will make us look irresponsible and alienate the voter," he said.
"Worst still it alienates the bank-rollers who require stability to make money and support our course."
Dr Asamoah appealed to party activists to constantly harp on increased economic hardships and the broken promises to the people as well as the waste and corruption of the NPP.
Dr N. Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the party, advised the participants to offer practical demonstrations of what the NDC stands. Dr Kwasi Jonah, Co-ordinator of IEA, said IEA gives financial support to the four parties in Parliament to organise honest activities. He said IEA also works with the Electoral Commission (EC) to iron out differences and problems.
The participants would be taken through subjects such as policy analysis, good governance by experts, the role of the youth and mobilising women for election 2004.
NDC Members of Parliament attended the opening ceremony from the five regions and officials of the national executive.
