Mills announces campaign team, calls for unity in NDC

Accra, May 5, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday announced a nine-member campaign team for his bid to seek re-election as the Flag-bearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). The congress is scheduled for Sunyani from July 8- July 10.

The team is headed by Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, a Former Minister of State under Former President Jerry John Rawlings, and now Member of the Council of State.

The team would ensure co-ordination of the campaign to enable President Mills get the nod to lead the party to win Election 2012. Addressing thrilled party faithful, after picking nomination forms for his re-election as Flag-bearer, President Mills told the milling party supporters to forge a united front to make the ruling party stronger after its forthcoming congress.

He emphasised that the NDC needed to be united, adding that the real jubilation would come after July 10.

"The real jubilation is about Election 2012; as long as God is on our side, we're going to win," President Mills said, as the crowd cheered him.

President Mills gave thanks to God for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding granted him to lead the nation.

He also thanked the party delegates for electing him as the Flag-bearer of the NDC in 2006, and Ghanaians for electing him as President during Election 2008.

President Mills also thanked officials and foot soldiers of the Party for their resilience, as well as acknowledging with thanks the old guards of the NDC, many of whom were at the function, for their sacrifices.

However, he said protection of the sacrifices was not the exclusive preserve of some people.

On his credentials, President Mills said: 93I'm already working with you and you know what I'm capable of doing. I'm in the process of executing the Better Ghana Agenda, and I'll have to spend time campaigning for the position."

"=85You need not worry, because I'm going (the July Congress) by a landslide victory at the primaries and victory is ours in Election 2012," President Mills assured the party supporters and his loyalists. President Mills who has been named Asomdwoehene (King of Peace) by party members, made what he called a solemn promise 93not to indulge in mudslinging, insults or any fabrications to get power". "Atta Mills will always follow the rule of law and not plunge this country into disaster," President Mills said.

In reference to Ghanaian custom, President Mills reminded party members that "you do not insult somebody who is older than you", and urged senior members of the party to set lasting examples for the young ones.

President Mills said: "We in the NDC have a legacy to protect the blood and toil of many people, some departed, some still with us." "As we go along, the army of people who are going to give the protection will increase, but the protection would not be the exclusive preserve of some people."

President Mills expressed joy that some members of the Party who left had returned into their fold to lend their support, and reminded members that the victory the NDC chalked in Election 2008 was not on a silver platter, but based on hard work, sacrifice and God's help. He urged party members and supporters to hold onto the ideals that brought the party back into power, appealing to them to be patient as government worked to address their concerns.

While urging for continuous faith in the party, President Mills advised the party faithful not to be swayed by half truths, arguing that no human being possessed power, but God was the only powerful Person to give power to whom He is pleased with.

President Mills called for continual doing of what was pleasing in the sight of God, for God to continue to shower blessings on the Party and the nation.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama, in an apparent response to a statement attributed to Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the NDC that the driver (referring to President Mills) had to be changed for sleeping, changing the driver was not necessary, but the passengers on board the vehicle must help the driver to take them safely to their destination.

Other speakers were Madam Cecilia Johnson, Member of the Council of State, who reminded the party faithful of the declaration of Former President Rawlings choice of Professor Mills as a person good for Ghanaians.

She recalled that party delegates had sung "Onim nea Oye Ma Yen, (He knows what is good for us) and wondered the turn around of Former President Rawlings call to change the Flag-bearer at the next Party congress.

Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education was considered sometime ago as the choice of the Former First Family of President Rawlings for the position of Vice President in Election 2008, praised the excellent credentials of President Mills, describing him as leading by prayer and good example.

Mrs Mould-Iddrisu said the NDC had a Founder and Founding Fathers and the Party was not for any individual or any one family. 5 May 11