NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has admitted the role of the founder Jerry John Rawlings is vital to the party¹s victory in the elections this year.

According to him, ousting the founder from the party would spell doom for the National Democratic Congress and implored the leadership of the party to ensure total compliance with the party¹s constitution.

Though Ex-President Rawlings has since the ascension of the ruling NDC been firing salvo at the rank and file of the party, his leadership traits cannot be underrated as General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, stated that as Chairman of the Council of Elders and member of the National Executive Council of the party, Mr. Rawlings has been involved in all party functions.

He explained that ³You can¹t say the party does not need its founderŠI am not sure that the party would at any point in time decide that we don¹t need our founder because it¹s a historical fact that the party was established based on the leadership foundation of Flt. Lt. Rawlings.²

He indicated that the Council of Elders chaired by former President Rawlings is tasked to resolve party conflicts.

Following the interdiction of Kofi Adams, Deputy General Secretary and Spokesperson of the founder, former President Rawlings on Tuesday condemned the decision by the National Executive Council of the party in a statement which read:

³When you find yourself in an unintended pit or hole the wise thing to do is to stop digging. It does not appear the Mills government is able to see the growing darkness around them. They have lost so much moral high ground and now one of the most truthful, forceful, logically minded personalities of integrity in the party leadership is being treated like an outcast to serve a parochial and unpatriotic interest.

³Do we need any other evidence to demonstrate that the Mills government has no intention of profiting from the truth? Ghana needs a real and true awakening. The government is fast speeding the country into an abyss and as Easter draws near, let us seek God¹s guidance in honest, unpretentious prayer of supplication.²

It is obvious Ex-President Rawlings is in contention with the leadership of the party and does not support his Spokesperson¹s suspension.

But the General Secretary of the party says the decision to interdict Kofi Adams does not defy the constitution of the party.

He said in an interview with Xfm 95.1 that Kofi Adams is a Spokesperson for former President Rawlings but not the founder and so, the national executives do not have to consult with Mr. Rawlings before a decision is reached.

He reiterated the party executives have revoked the membership of Kofi Adams but stressed the interdiction does not impinge on his position as the Spokesperson of former President Rawlings.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana