NDC members urged to unite

Kumasi, April.4, GNA - Dr Nii Josiah Aryee, General Secretary of the NDC has called for peace and unity in the party to enable it recapture power in the 2004 elections. He said the party had a challenging task ahead in December and there was the need for each member of the party to work hard to dislodge the NPP government from power.

Dr Aryee made the call at a day's seminar for regional and constituency organisers from all the 10 regions in Kumasi on Saturday. The seminar, which was organised by the leadership of the party with support from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), aimed at building the capacities of the participants and design new strategies for effective campaigning and recruitment in the 2004 elections.

Dr Aryee called for motivation for the organisers to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. He commended the party's agents for their hard work in the just ended voter registration exercise, and said the enthusiasm shown by the agents indicated that, the party still had dedicated people, who could work effectively to recapture power.

Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, a leading member of the party, accused civil society, media, chiefs and religious organisations for their continued silence on the alleged importation of arms and ammunitions into the country by the government. He said the party wished that, Ghanaians would know the whereabouts of the arms and ammunitions.

Mr Kofi Portuphy, also a leading member of the party, said the new NDC was now putting itself on a scientific pedestal where all party activities would be subjected to analysis and interpretations. He called for the building of a new image for the party to enable it attract more people into its fold. Mr Portuphy, also called on the party organisers to study the philosophy of the party to enable them to explain the mission and vision of the party to the people.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, National Youth Organiser of the party, urged the media to be fair and responsible in their reportage. He said the media had currently besieged the former President to the neglect of the socio-economic problems facing the nation. Mr Iddrisu accused the government of compounding the economic woes of the country and said the NDC would win the 2004 elections to bring joy to the people.

Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, a Vice Chairman of the party, who chaired the function, urged the participants to impart the knowledge acquired to their colleagues and their constituencies.