Mills calls for clean campaign

Accra, May 5, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday called for a clean campaign as he picked his nomination forms to contest for the presidential slot of the ruling the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Election 2012.

Speaking at the Headquarters of the NDC where he picked the forms, he said: "We should ensure that our campaign is carried out in a clean manner. It is not a matter of who can insult or who can hurl insults at the fastest rate."

He added: "I know I am going to win ... but let me say that winning is not the end of the road... what we are in power for is to raise the standard of living of the people. We must seek power to help the people."

President Mills said: "Whoever wins will have to build on the foundation we are building now."

He expressed appreciation to senior party members and party faithful, who accompanied him to pick the forms. The President said the Ghanaian electorate were discerning and, therefore, the NDC must present to them what they wanted and would readily vote for.

President Mills expressed confidence that the ruling Party would again give him the nod at the Congress scheduled for Sunyani from July 8 to 10, 2011.

He wished Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who has also picked the nomination forms to contest the primary, well and promised a clean contest.

The General Secretary of the Party, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia debunked allegations attributed to Former President Jerry John Rawlings that the Party's Congress had been postponed in favour of a certain candidate.

He further explained that due process was followed by the Party Executives including the Deputy General Secretary and Spokesperson for Former President Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams in the fixing of the dates and the processes of the congress.

Mr Asiedu Nketia also dismissed claims by Former President Rawlings that there was an opinion poll to determine which of the two candidates was more popular.

Thousands of NDC supporters thronged the Party Headquarters to support President Mills.

President Mills waded through a milling crowd of loyalists, who expressed confidence in his leadership style and urged him on in his bid for re-election for 2012.

Sporting a white long-sleeved designer shirt, he arrived at the Party's Headquarters at 1037 hours in the company of Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, an Executive Member of the Party; Mr Goosie Tanoh, who broke away from the NDC and contested the presidency on the ticket of the National Reform Party in Election 2000; Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, MP for Kpone Katamanso and a Minister of State at the Presidency, believed to be an ally of Former President Rawlings; Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister and other officials of the NDC.