NDC Gets Rival Group

June 10, 1999

Accra - Now the break away faction within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is real. All the skepticisms and the ploy tag labelled against Augustus Goosie Tanoh and his Reform Movement are now put to rest. The NDC now has an offspring- The Reform Party which is prepared to do battle against the ruling party and all other parties.

The National Reform Movement (NRM) last week presented documents to the Electoral Commission (EC) to be registered as a political party. The party has "Ghana First" as its slogan.

Their symbol is a yellow sun, rising over a white horizon against a blue sky The word "Reform" is written in red beneath the sun symbol.

Members of NRM would later explain their symbol.

According to the Reformers, their symbol symbolises unity and a universal sign of energy, warmth, nourishment and growth.

The rising sun also represents humility. The colours- white represents triumph of transparency in public life, red for the struggles and toil of ordinary Ghanaians who back the NRP stands; yellow for warmth, wealth and hope. The blue colour signifies peace and solidarity.

The party as required by the E.C. laws also has in place, its interim executives. Mr. Peter Kpordugbe is the Interim National Chairman; Mr. Kyeretwie Opoku, Interim General Secretary.

Co.-Interim National Treasurers are Alhaji Mohammed Sannie, a retired banker and Dr. Nathaniel Tanoh, formerly of World Space with Mr. Goosie Tanoh as the Interim Spokesman.

There are also ten Regional Co-ordinators, who are also the regional representatives on the National Executive Committee. They include Mr. Joe Kojo Armah(Western Region), lawyer Ismael Turkson, for the Central, Alhaji Mohammed Sannie, a retired banker (Greater Accra) Mr. Emmanuel Boker for the Volta Region and Mr. Charles Quartey, Eastern.

Others are Solomon Kwesi Lamptey (Ashanti), Kwame Takyi Appiah (B.A.Region) Alhaji Mohammed Harom (Northern), Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Tanko, a businessman, Upper East while Mike Tialata oversees the Upper East Region.

The party has also chosen February 4, as its day.

Top on the party's agenda is sustainable national economic development with social justice and compassion"

Other objectives include the development of a strong organisation to give a coherent national character to branch activities and the development of a committed and disciplined cadres to lead at all levels of the party.

Annual membership dues are shared according to one's social status.

Farmers, pensioners, students and the unemployed are to pay ?12,000.00; rural workers - ?24,000.00; urban workers - ?36,000.00; professionals- ?240,000.00 and associates corporate members ?480,000.00.

Income from dues would be distributed with 20% going to the branch; 10% to the constituency; 10% to the regional branch and 60% to the Headquarters.

The NRP has also secured cross country vehicles to facilitate their work together with a sizeable number of motor bikes and bicycles for the districts, constituencies and the wards.