D-Day: Mills Or Botchwey?

The fates of Professor Mills and Dr. Botchwey would be decided TODAY when delegates from all the 200 constituencies convene at the Central Cafeteria of the University of Ghana, Legon, to decide which of the two men would become NDC Presidential Candidate in Election 2004. Even at this late hour, supporters of the two candidates are persisting on last minute media skirmishes to eke out what advantages they can for their candidates.

On Thursday, an NDC group based in the Ayawaso Central Constituency, known as the Victory Youth Club (VYC), held a press conference and threw its support behind Professor Mills. The group said it sensed great danger, with a possibility of losing the 2004 presidential election, if Dr. Botchwey is elected the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress.

In a strangely worded text, the group said, "It is amazing and surprising to hear contributions from well-known NPP supporters like Uncle Ato, Kwaku Baako, Asare Otchere Darko and even MPs like Kwabena Okerchiri, KK, KB etc canvassing support for Prof [sic] Kwesi Botchwey".

Mr. Alfred Kojo Triddles, Chairman of VYC who read the group's statement asked, "Why should NPP people tell the NDC to choose a particular candidate as its leader? A party that seeks the destruction of NDC! If Dr. Kwesi Botchway were a credible and reliable personality for the party at this present moment, the NPP would not have been supporting him. How can we expect NPP people to work for their own defeat?"

He accused Dr. Botchwey for failing to "criticize anything the NPP is doing since he started campaigning as NDC flag bearer". For this reason, the group argued, he would be unable to attack the NPP in the election campaign, "so NDC will lose 2004".

Mr. Triddles advised delegates to be cautious, think about the good people of Ghana and not allow their birthrights to be taken away from them at tomorrow's national delegates' congress. He asked them to avoid anyone who would try to offer them money for them to vote for him. He said the NDC hoped to elect a dynamic, dedicated, vibrant and a humble leader who would champion the aspirations of the party to wrestle power from the present government in 2004.

He said his group decided to canvass support for Professor John Evans Atta Mills because he is "a loyal person, active member of the party and has always defended the proper socio-economic developments in seeking or adding his voice to both internal and external support for the country."

Other attributes of the professor he said included "an impressive record of some thirty years which is an unbroken record of unblemished public service in Ghana", and also he is compassionate, caring, hardworking and concern about improving the lives of people.

With all these accolades however, the Professor still comes across as the poodle of Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings and should he get the nod tomorrow would be on a leash let by the pair. It is an image the professor has long tried to shed but even as he mounts the platform tomorrow, it would continue to dog him.

Dr. Kwesi Botchwey however is being portrayed by his supporters as the breath of fresh air in a party that has lacked democratic credentials ever since it was converted from a coup d'etat organization called the PNDC in 1992 to contest Election'92.

His falling out with Rawlings over Tsatsu Tsikata's handling of the affairs of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation earned him high marks with many people, but may yet cost him dearly tomorrow, if the majority of the delegates still feel their loyalty is to Rawlings. In this case, Mills would come out victor, because he is the man preferred by ex-Flt. Lt. Rawlings, founder and inspirer of the NDC.

Even if the fight is close, Mills may still come out top.