Statement by NDC Council of Elders on meeting with eight presidential aspirants

A sub-committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders, chaired by former President Jerry John Rawlings, on Thursday December 6, 2018 met eight flagbearer aspirants of the party in the office of the former President in Accra.

The meeting was to enable the subcommittee to present to the aspirants some proposals from the Council, in response to a petition received from the aspirants.

The two parties discussed amongst others:

- The timetable for the election of a flagbearer of the party and the need to give aspirants adequate time to meet with delegates as well as to raise money from supporters and pay their filing fees.

- The need to consider the time table of the National Electoral Commission of Ghana with respect to their own internal work programme, so as not to conflict with the electoral time table of the NDC.

- The implications of the imminent Christmas and New Year period on the flagbearership elections, which would slow down the ability of aspirants to campaign and meet with their supporters and party faithful.

- The challenging issue of the filing fees, which Council of Elders has recommended should be reduced to ¢300,000 from ¢400,000 but which all the aspirants felt does not properly reflect the NDC’s history, values and ethos and seems to unreasonably promote access to money as a primary criterion for political leadership.

The General Secretary of the party who was present at the meeting, gave aspirants an explanation of the factors that led to the fixing of the filing fees and the time table for the elections.

The two parties concluded their meeting with the acknowledgement that there was need for continuing dialogue at the highest level of the party, especially between the Council of Elders, the national and functional executive committees and the aspirants.

The subcommittee of the Council of Elders indicated that there is the need to continue with their dialogue and consultations at all times.

The subcommittee of the Council of Elders which was chaired by former President Rawlings included Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama, Madam Aanaa Ennin, former Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho, Nii Okaija Adamafio and the Secretary, Akuamoah Boateng.

Aspirants present included Alban Bagbin, Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Sylvester Mensah, Professor Joshua Alabi, Goosie Tanoh, Alhaji Nurudeen Iddrisu, Stephen Atubiga, Elikplim Agbemava.

Signed:

Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu