Opposition members defect

Effiduase (Ashanti), 16 Feb '99 - The Effiduase-Asokore Constituency Vice-Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwadwo Addai and the Youth Organiser, Mr Asare Baffour Okai, have resigned from the party to join the National Democratic Congress (NDC). They announced their defection at a press conference held at Effiduase. They said their decision was in recognition of the sense of direction, vision and leadership style of President Jerry John Rawlings that has won international acclaim. Mr Addai and Mr Okai noted that under the Government of the NDC, the country had enjoyed tremendous development, peace and stability, adding, "we are convinced that if we join the NDC we have not missed the road". They criticised the NPP for its intra-party wrangling, acrimony and bickering and asked all the activists of the defunct United National Convention (UNC) who advocated for a third force political party to join the NDC. Mr Kwame de-Graft Agyei, the Sekyere East District Chief Executive, said they are happy to have the two NPP stalwarts, who he described as articulate, knowledgeable and vocal in their midst. He spoke of the determination of the NDC to win the two constituencies in the district from the NPP in the year 2,000 General Elections and acknowledged that this would require making in-roads into the NPP. Mr J. K. Amoah, a founding member of the NDC in the area, welcomed the two into the party and hoped they would sincerely work towards bringing in more supporters of the NPP to the NDC.