Mass Defection Hits NDC

A COLONY of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters at Fumso in the Adansi-Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti Region has defected to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). About 250 supporters who are residents of the Fumso Zongo Community opted to join the main opposition party because the NDC had deceived them, making them believe that they (NDC) were the only party that cared for people from the three northern regions and that the NPP were insensitive.

Leader of the defectors, Mutala Mohammed, said the incompetence of the present administration, coupled with lack of policy direction for Ghana’s economic growth, also accounted for their decision to abandon the NDC ship.

“Economic opportunities for us here have shrunk since the NDC took over the reins of government. Only agro-industry, where we were hoping to get employment, has been infested with bribery. Before you get hooked, one needs to pay chairman Abalo, our own NDC man, between GH¢100 and GH¢150. This is our reward for sacrificing for the NDC to come back to power,” he stated, adding that they were disappointed by the ruling party because they even formed a group called NDC Youth Fighters Association to canvass for votes for them during the 2008 elections.

At a durbar to announce their intention, the Zongo chief of the community, as well as his elders, also joined the defection bandwagon, pledging their unflinching support to the NPP and the Member of Parliament for the area, K. T. Hammond.

The group indicated that it was a waste of precious time to still be in the NDC, having seen the light and realizing there is no hope for them in the party that was founded on deceit, and cursed the day they joined the NDC. According to the group, promises made to them still remain unfulfilled and that they could not continue to be with a party that “cannot fulfill its promises.”

They pledged to work hard for the NPP to win more votes at the Zongo communities, where it is believed would be an NDC stronghold in the constituency come 2012.

K. T. Hammond and his Constituency Chairman, Peter Kwabena Ameyaw, welcomed the defectors into the NPP, indicating that the move was in their best interest and good for their future.

According to the MP, the NDC was built on lies and deceit, which have become a sub-culture and integral part of the Rawlings-founded party, and disputed the propaganda that the NPP has no respect for people of northern decent. Hon. Hammond stated that Ghanaians are experiencing hardship as a result of the bad governance approach adopted by President Mills, who seems to have lost focus on his mandate and commitment to the good people of Ghana.

He cautioned people in the area to be wary of vain promises by politicians, so as not to be disappointed in the long run, anticipating for more defections in the ensuing years.

Meanwhile, the defectors, comprising market women, farmers and the youth, formed a new group christened NPP Zongo Youth Association, which intends to help the NPP to reclaim power from the NDC. Mohammed Mutala, Abubakari Alhassan, Bello Inusah, Alhaji Yussif and Toffic Sule were made the executives of the new group, occupying the positions chairman, treasurer, secretary, adviser and organizer respectively.