PRESS BRIEFING

The Advocates for Progressive Change (APC) have endorsed Prof. Evans Atta Mills, the presidential candidate for the NDC in the presidential run-off election scheduled for December 28, 2008.

Mr.E.Kudjo Ave, the president of APC, stated five considerations that impacted their decision.

FIRST REASON:

Quoting the Washington Post, Mr. Ave stated that the experience of power alternating among political parties is a barrier to conflict. This ensures good governance, prudent leadership and accountability which minimize public cynicism and mistrust of political leadership. The group, Mr. Ave added, agrees with an eminent scholar on good governance that, trust between government and the people is the corner stone of good governance. Repeating the cycle of political parties every eight (8) years ensures the growth of democracy which will bring sanity into our body politic.

SECOND REASON:

Ghanaians want a new direction and change. Real change will come from another party, the NDC, more than from a continued rule of the same ruling party (NP P)..

THIRD REASON:

The third reason given by Mr. Ave was the need to avoid gridlock in parliament which will hinder the executive branch should it be the NPP pursuing its agenda. The NDC, winning majority of parliamentary seats in the December 7, 2008 elections will control the next parliament. A situation whereby we have an NPP president with an NDC parliament will result in constant battles between the NPP and the NDC. ( The NDC already has the majority in parliament.) This environment will hinder the national development which will in turn affect adversely the county¢s image in the international community as well as the relationship with our foreign investors.

The NPP government achieved what it achieved because it had the presidency and it controlled the parliament. It is now convenient for Nana Akufo Addo to argue that split government is good for democracy. It is an argument that is in the interest of the NPP to hang on to power, Mr. Ave added.

FOURTH REASON:

A more serious gridlock will be at the local government level if the NPP wins the presidency since it is the president who appoints the District Chief Executives. Currently, DCEs and MPs of the same party in the same constituency/A more serious gridlock will be at the local government level if the NPP wins the presidency since it is the president who appoints the District Chief Executives. Currently, DCEs and MPs of the same party in the same constituency/districts are

FIRFTH REASON:

Dr. Kwame Twumasi-Ankrah, an executive member of the APC contributing at the press briefing, stated that the Advocates for Progressive Change see Prof. Atta Mills as an analytical and calm person devoid of arrogance and self conceit, a person who will have the interest of all Ghanaians, a person whose presidency will more than reduce political tension in the country, a person who can and will bring real change for the betterment of all Ghanaians.

FOR THESE REASONS, THE ADVOCATES FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE (APC) URGE ALL GHANAIANS AND THE VOTING ELECTORATE TO VOTE PROF... JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS FOR PRESIDENT ON DECEMBER 28, 2008

THANK YOU

ABENA BEEMAH

PUBLIC AFFAIRS-APC