NDC women organisers vent anger against reactionary forces

Accra, Oct 28, GNA - Regional Women Organisers of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday, expressed displeasure about persons who are creating unnecessary confusion within the party. They said these faceless people are distracting the attention of President John Evans Atta Mills to deliver on its mandate and pursue the Better Ghana Agenda.

A release signed by the organisers said they have nothing against the desire of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings to lead the party in the 2012 General Election. It said Mrs Rawlings as one of the Vice Chairperson of the NDC belongs to a democratic party "and we believe in opening up the political space for every qualified member of the NDC to vie to lead the party".

The release said the organisers are however unhappy about the lawlessness being perpetrated by certain faceless and nameless persons in the name of Mrs Agyeman Rawlings about the issue. "We find it highly inappropriate that a lawless agenda is being pursued in the name of a Vice Chairperson of the party and also a wife of our respected Founder, Jerry John Rawlings."

The release said in order to curtail the lawlessness associated with the issue, "we the regional women organisers of the NDC are calling on Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from this unacceptable behaviour by. group of young men who are misbehaving and destroying the reputation of our Founder as well as the solid image of our party". It said because those behind the commotion are aware that what they are doing is wrong and in breach of the party's constitution they are cowardly hiding behind faceless and nameless bodies. "They are cowards, and we shall not allow cowardly men to destroy the great NDC party.

"As a motherly figure, it is only right and proper that Mrs Rawlings calls the lawless persons to order or distance herself from them.

"Every well-meaning mother will not tolerate waywardness on the part of her children. "In like manner, Mrs Rawlings must not tolerate the waywardness of these cowards.

As faceless and nameless as they are, they have made public their telephone numbers on which Radio and TV stations are reaching them and so it should not be difficult for Mrs Rawlings to reach them and ask them to stop dragging her name in the mud," the release said. It said Mrs Rawlings acted with speed to set the records straight when the Deputy Information Minister, Mr Okujeto Ablakwa allegedly made some wrong attributions to her.

"It is therefore disturbing that with regard to the recent matter, which is undermining unity within the party and. the work of President Mills, Mrs Rawlings is delaying in distancing herself from the unlawful conduct of the faceless and nameless so-called foot soldiers." The release said a number of women have made it to the high position of head of state, but is also a matter of fact that those who have made it to the high office did not employ backdoor tactics as well as support lawlessness within the ranks of their political parties. The release said: "The delayed silence from Mrs Rawlings is fuelling lots of speculations which do not augur well for the image of our Founder, hence our call for Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from the misconduct of the faceless and nameless persons so that as a party and government, we can focus on the work ahead and build the Better Ghana that Ghanaians voted the President to build. We pledge our unflinching support for President Mills and we have no doubt that a Better Ghana will be built for NDC's mandate to be renewed in 2012.