NPP criticises NDC for failure to participate in presidential forum

ACCRA, October 1 -- The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday congratulated the presidential candidates for participating in Wednesday night's forum and criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for not fielding its flag-bearer, Vice President John Atta Mills. A statement signed by Mr Dan Botwe, General Secretary, said the participation of the six candidates and their conduct "amply demonstrated the beauty of multi-party democracy and its tenet of unity in diversity and showcased Ghana as a nation with a deepening democratic culture."

The six candidates who participated were Mr John Kufuor of the NPP, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby of the United Ghana Movement, Dr Edward Mahama of the People's National Convention, Prof. George Hagan of the Convention People's Party, Mr Goosie Tanoh of the National Reform Party and Mr Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party.

The NPP described as "lame" the reasons assigned for the inability of Prof. Mills to participate in the forum. It said Prof. Mills has proved that he is afraid of submitting to the test of free discussion and is more in love with his own opinion that with the truth.

"The excuse for Prof. Mills' inability to participate in the forum on account of his current position as acting President falls flat in the light of the US example, where sitting presidents always find time to engage in public debates with their opponents.

It said the NDC's attempt to divide journalists into pro and anti-government betrays the continuation of the mindset which generally divides Ghanaians into 'them' and 'us' as the prelude to the discriminatory treatment so characteristic of the party