President Rawlings will still lead the NDC party

In another development the Vice-President, Prof. J.E.A. Mills, has acknowledged that the tremendous support of the National Democratic Congress has received and continues to receive from members of the party, both in and outside Ghana, has reinforced its determination to offer sound leadership with a focus on policies and strategies that will help improve the lot of Ghanaians.

Prof. Mills emphasized that the NDC Government was committed to achieving these objectives no matter the obstacles that may confront it. The Vice-President pointed out that despite the low prices of Ghana's major commodities, gold and cocoa, and the soaring prices of crude oil, the Government has maintained the producer price of cocoa to farmers when neighboring countries have had to reduce their prices.

Addressing a fund-raising dinner dance, organized by the UK and Ireland Branch of the NDC in London last night, Prof. Mills said the government even has to be vigilant to prevent cocoa farmers from smuggling their produce into Ghana to benefit from the high prices being offered by the Government. The Vice-President, however, cautioned that in the midst of these shocks to Ghana's economy there was the need to use available resources with economy and efficiency, adding "this is the more reason why we call on all members of the NDC family to lend us practical support."

The Vice-President said naturally students in Ghana tend to resist the modest fees, which the universities have found necessary to charge in order to maintain standards. He urged the gathering to tell friends and relatives at home about the situation of tertiary students in the United Kingdom.

The National Women?s Organizer of the party and the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, also inaugurated the first overseas women?s wing of the NDC at the function.

The Deputy Minister of Defence and Co-ordinator of International Relations of the party, Dr Tony Aidoo said the NDC has been able to chalk success over the years because it has the program, vision and leadership. Dr Aidoo expressed confidence that when the NDC congress endorses Prof. Mills' candidature for the presidential elections next year he would be a vote catcher.