NDC-USA Meets With President Mills

On the evening of September 22nd, 2009 executive officers from member branches of the NDC-USA gathered at Marriott Marquis Broadway Hotel to meet with his Excellency, President John Evans Atta Mills to deliberate on the progress of the party and other pertinent issues affecting Ghana.

The NDC USA executives present were Mr. Appiah Twumasi Ankrah,Vice Chairman; Mr. Osborne K Sam, General Secretary;Mr. Charles Kpodzo, Deputy General Secretary; Mr. Nii Armah Hammond, Youth Organiser; Mr. Eugene Markwei, Deputy Inter-chapter co-ordinator and Mr.Apetsi Kumassah, Deputy Youth Organiser.

Present at the meeting were executives and leading members from NDC branches from across the United States - the Washington DC metro branch led by Mr. Ben Mensah, Virginia's delegation included Mr. Desire Ankah; Massachusetts' delegation included Mr. Ato Essel and Mr. Peter Aseidu, New York's delegation included Alhaji Aziz Shaibu, Mariam Dauda and Naa Adei Kotei; and the New Jersey branch was led byMr. Justice Salifu and Mr. John Akon.

The President's entourage included the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, the Hon Asiedu Nketsiah; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Alhaji Muhammed Mumuni; the Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Ms Hannah Tetteh; and the Minister for Information Mrs. Zita Okai Kwei.

The Chairman of the NDC New York branch, Dr. George Lamptey, extended a hearty welcome to the President of Ghana and his entourage, he hoped that the President would have a successful working visit in the United States and at the United Nations. Mr. Appiah Twumasi Ankrah, first Vice chairman of NDC-USA in his address thanked the President for taking time off his busy schedule to meet with the party, he reminded the president of his special relationship with NDC USA membership. The General Secretary of NDC USA, Mr. Osborne K Sam presented a petition to President Mills on behalf of all members of the NDC USA. He expressed the appreciation of members of the chapter, for members of NDC USA who have already received appointments in the Mills administration as Presidential advisors, deputy Ministers, Presidential staffers, district chief executives and board members among others. The petition also touched on difficulties members of NDC USA faced in their desire to assist the government in its efforts to bring progress and economic growth to the people of Ghana. The petition also touched on the mixed feelings of some the party faithfuls concerning recent public criticism of the NDC led government by leading members of the party. The event was moderated by Mr. Sandy Amoyaw, vice chairman of the NDC New York branch and Mr. Charles Kpozo, deputy General Secretary, NDC USA.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Hon.Aseidu Nkestiah, in his address congratulated the NDC USA for implementing reforms agreed on by the NDC's Functional Executive committee, including changing the name of the organisation from NACC of NDC to NDC USA. He urged the rank and file of the NDC USA to avoid unnecessary internal squabbles and divisions, and remain united for the cause of assisting the NDC in its quest to better the lives of the average Ghanaian. He explained, that although government is working hard at implementing its policies to ameliorate the problems facing Ghanaians , the practical truth is that it takes some time for the effects of the policies of the administration to have a lasting, positive impact on the everyday lives of the citizenry. The General Secretary of the party further stated that the government was more interested in achieving real and measurable economic growth than in public relations stunts which's impact fizzles away after a very short period.

Representatives from branches present took turns to ask questions or make statements during the “question and answer session”.

The President in his address re-stated his commitment to the rule of law. He stated that his administration was not interested in punishing former public officials merely because they belong to a different political tradition, he however declared that his government will after careful investigation bring persons who are found to have committed grievous criminal acts against the state to justice. The President further assured the leaders of the party in the US that all appointments made have been with great care and attention. He intimated that with time the sterling quality of his team of minister will become even more apparent. Touching on the economy, President Mills stated that his team of economic advisors and officials are some of the best economic minds with solid track records and experience, one can find. He further stressed that this capable and assiduous team are seriously at work seeing to the implementation of policies that will in both the short and long term inure to the benefit of all ghanaians.

Mr. Seth Sintim, an executive member of the New York branch presented a gift on behalf of all the NDC USA. The meeting ended after a muslim prayer led by Alhaji Lukman Mohammed, 2nd Vice Chair of the NDC New York branch.

Yours Sincerely,

Osborne K Sam General Secretary NDC USA