They said what was apparently unfortunate was that this state of affairs had emerged at a time when the party needed to remain united and focused for the general election in 2012.
This was the outcome of a meeting of the cadres in the 17 districts of the region held at Elimina under the chairmanship of Mr E.K.T. Addo, leader of the Association, Also present were Alhaji A.S. Baba Lamin, national executive committee member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr William Atta Mends, district chief executive of Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese .
It was emphasised that although the action of the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, to contest the sitting President for the flagbearership position of the party was unprecedented and unknown in the history of the party’s democracy, they considered it as her democratic right since the party’s constitution allowed that.
They said what was, however, worrying was the manner the campaign activities of the two contestants were being carried out.
They said activists of either side usually engaged in insults and other abusive language which may have the potential of disuniting or disintegrating the party.
“It is the view of the cadres that if the situation is not properly and effectively managed now, its effect on the party, especially during the campaign for general election in 2012, could be insurmountably disastrous,” they noted.
They also emphasised that those who chastised, condemned or accused any of the contestants for any alleged wrong-doing on campaign platforms and in both the electronic and print media must be reminded that such attacks were rather attacks on the party and thereby invariably provided ammunition for their opponents to fire at them, especially during the 2012 elections.
The association called on the Council of Elders of the NDC to ensure that the party did not disintegrate and appealed to the founder to stand tall as usual above all others and remain the father for all the contestants and their activists.
According to them, any other developments contrary to the above may only succeed in undermining the credibility of all those who matter in the affairs of the party.
They said it was their belief that the sacrifices and the contributions they have made for the formation, growth and development of the party could not be allowed to go waste since they were convinced that the NDC had come to stay as a formidable and respectable party with men and women of substance and knowledge.
They further made a humble appeal to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines provided for the proper conduct of campaign activities for the flagbearership contest so as to abate the present recklessness and disregard for party discipline and decorum.
The association demanded from the NEC and the founder, nothing but a successful congress in Sunyani for the party to return from Sunyani more united and focused than before.
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