...As JJ’s Men Back His Bid
His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills has declared optimism of winning by a landslide victory, the impending 2012 flagbearership contest of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) scheduled to take place at Suyani on 8th-10th July, 2011.
The president will be contesting his party’s presidential candidature against his only contender, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, the wife of the founder, and called for a clean campaign, which is devoid of insults.
In attendance to offer the President their moral support were one time loyalists of former President John Jerry Rawlings who served in various capacities under his 19 years of uninterrupted rule. The NDC gurus, some of whom had in one way or the other left the party, or have been sitting on the fence for a very long time, resurfaced yesterday at the party headquarters where President Mills picked his nomination form as well as his Kuku Hill campaign centre where he launched his 2012 flagbearership bid.
These gurus, who were all close allies of former President Rawlings, were convinced that President Mills has performed satisfactorily within the two and half years that he has been in power and therefore deserves commendation and not condemnation. They are optimistic that by the end of the President’s second term in office, he would change the face of the country.
Among these NDC gurus were Dr. Kwasi Botchway, Mr. Gusi Tano, who led the breakaway National Reform Party (NRP), Mr. Twetwe Opoku of the NRP, Mr. Eddie Annang, who contested President Mills for the 2008 presidential candidature of the NDC, Madam Emalia Arthur, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Madam Sherry Ayitey, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Madam Cecilia Johnson, a former General Secretary of the 31st December Women’s Movement, Hon. Afotey Agbo, a Minister of State at the Presidency and close confidant of former President Rawlings, Madam Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the Rawlingses’ choice for President Mills’ running mate in 2008 and current Minister of Education, Hon. Hanna Bisiw, Deputy Minister Water Resources, Works & Housing and Hon. E. T. Mensah, Minister of Employment & Social Welfare and close Rawlings confidant among others.
President Mills who picked his nomination form at the party headquarters yesterday appealed to his supporters and that of Nana Kunadu Agyeman Rawlings who is contesting with him to do away with insult in their campaign and rather do it in a clean manner.
“The campaign is not about who can hail insults at the fastest rate or who can engage in serious attacks”.
He reminded all to bear in mind that at the end of the day the party needs togetherness to prosecute the Better Ghana Agenda. According to the President, whoever wins the contest would by all means build on the foundation that has been laid, which is the reason the party needs a strong united front to fight the battle ahead.
He pointed out that wining the contest is not the end of the race, stressing that they are in politics just to help raise the living standards of the people and that anyone who seeks power must make sure that the power is used to serve the needs of the people. He said he will always strive for the truth even if it does not appear palatable. President Mills hinted that one must not seek power for power sake, and added that the only thing about power seeking is to help the people. He called for cooperation among members of the party so that they can fight the battle ahead. The President noted that these days the Ghanaian electorate is very descending and that they know what they are up to. At the campaign headquarters in Accra, the President was welcomed by over 5000 party faithful across the country including top NDC gurus in their party colours to support the President to officially launch his campaign as well as the team in charge of the campaign The chairman for the occasion, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana H. E. John Dramani Mahama in his speech stated that “nobody is perfect in this world. Only God can claim perfection.” According to him, there have been so many drivers in the seat before it got to the turn of President Mills and what the members of the party have done in the past was to help and support the driver even when he is sleeping in his seat. He further stated that, every member of the party should be thankful to God for how far he has brought them and should not stumble on the gift God has given them but rather appreciate it and pray that the Almighty bless them more so that come 2012 they will win the election. He mentioned that the President is ready for the big challenge that has been thrown and is also ready for the upcoming congress to be the chief driver in Ghana come 2012. A 21-member campaign team has also been inaugurated to steer the President’s flagbearership campaign dubbed ‘Get Atta Mills Endorsed’ (GAME). They include: Mr Isaac Nii Gyamah Vanderpuije (Deputy Campaign Manager), Mr Fred Ohene Kena, Mr. Kwame Peprah, Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, Madam Sherry Aryittey, Presidential Aide Nii Lantey Vanderpuije and Madam Cecilia Johnson, a former General Secretary of the 31st December Women’s Movement. Others are Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Ms Ama Benyiwa Doe, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Hon. Cletus Avoka, Mr. Yaw Antwi-Gyamfi, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, and Hon. Rashid Pelpuo. The rest are Hon. Emmanuel Bedzra, Dr. Asima, Madam Sylvia Osei, Dr. Stephen Opuni, Dr. Omane Boamah, Madam Bertha Ansah-Gyan, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Alhaji Mahama Fuseini. The Campaign Manager, J.H Acheampong and his team expressed their appreciation to the President for the opportunity to contribute to his re-election effort.
