‘Don’t make Mills’s son a campaign issue’ -Mahama

THE Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has called on Ghanaians to judge Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flagbearer of the NDC, and others seeking public office on their performance in office and avoid stooping low to dig out their negative past.

“We all live in glass houses and should stop throwing stones. If we were to dig out everyone’s past, then no one would qualify to serve this nation,” he pointed out.

Dr Mahama, who said this in a Vibe FM interview, noted that everyone at a certain stage in the past has made a mistake or two and this should not be used as a yardstick to measure that person’s competence for office.

He referred to the Monica Lewinsky saga which engulfed U.S. President Bill Clinton and said that such an unproductive development did not serve America’s interest and only succeeded in polarising the society.

Dr Mahama categorically rejected attempts at making the son of Professor Atta Mills a campaign issue, saying that since this did not happen whilst he (Professor Mills) was Vice-President, it would be improper to make an issue of it.

He advised that rather than get too personal on him, his record as Vice President in spheres like his management of the economy, his handling of corruption, job creation and others should become the basis for debate and public attention.

The PNC leader also explained that it has not forged an alliance with the NPP or any other political party.

Dr Mahama pointed out that what the leadership of the PNC has done is to call on individual members of the party to lend their support to Mr J. A. Kufuor, the NPP Flagbearer in the Presidential run-off slated for December 28, 2000.

According to the PNC leader, the rationale for this action is motivated by the party’s interest in working for a change in the government of the country through the defeat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the presidential run-off.

He indicated that the decision of the PNC to concede defeat in the recent general the elections and rally behind the NPP was done in close consultation with all but two of the 10 regional chairmen of the party.

“I am only urging our members and supporters to vote for the NPP candidate but “we know what we are doing. All that we are doing is to call for change”, the PNC flagbearer stressed.

Dr Mahama was emphatic that the PNC in the foreseeable future, intends to remain an independent Nkrumaist party.

On whether or not he would accept an appointment from Mr Kufuor should he win the run off, the PNC flagbearer said that if any positions should be on offer, they should not be to Dr Mahama as a person, but to the PNC as a political entity.