We can't fight NPP on their terms – Rawlings

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) cannot fight the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the terms of the latter, former President Jerry John Rawlings has said.

Speaking at the NDC’s campaign launch in Cape Coast on Sunday 14 August, Mr Rawlings said: “What is ahead of you is not an easy task…don’t allow undue provocation to create undue tension…

“I will reserve what I will have to say after the elections to share with you how I think we can restore the kind of strength that will take us into the future.

“There are certain weaknesses that we have to deal with. …The NPP cannot be underestimated, you know it. They’ve been in existence for a long time and have been changing their name up to today. The nature of who they are, what they are, where they’ve come from, is something they are happy with and they will be there for a long time.

“The calculation I want to put before you is that by virtue of what and who they are, that will necessarily give drive to what you and I are in the NDC. In other words, by virtue of who we are, where we come, how we came into being, I keep saying we cannot afford to fight them on their terms, it’s important that we fight them on our terms, let’s not mimic their behaviour…” Mr Rawlings warned.

According to him, if only the NDC can hold on to the principles that gave birth to the party, then the NDC will enjoy many years of victory. “…We will override any obstacle,” he assured.