Statement By The North American Committee

To Elect Prof.J.E. Atta -Mills As N.D.C Flagbearer

Over the past few months, the NDC and Ghana have been blessed with the announcement of the intentions of Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, John Mahama, Eddie Annan, Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama, and Alban Bagbin to seek the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress. All of them are an addition to the well-known Professor John Atta-Mills. Some of these mentioned have personally declared their intentions while others are the part of the speculative agenda of some media personnel. We, however, appreciate the media’s recognition of the NDC’s immense talent pool and its capacity to move Ghana forward. The list of candidates might not have ended as equally worthy individuals would want to seek this position as we approach the next congress.

For us, as supporters of the candidature of Professor Atta-Mills, this flourishing of the talent pool of the National Democratic Congress is a vindication of our belief that Ghanaians would not allow the incompetence of the NPP to generate cynicism in the body politic. It also encourages us that our position that the NDC is a resilient party is a true one. The NDC has been resilient enough to withstand the crude intimidation of the NPP and the prophecies of the endtime prophets who have come in various colors, symbols and motivations over the past five years.

As we welcome and applaud the intentions of the budding competitors of Professor Mills, we would want to reiterate the unblemished record of Professor Atta-Mills which even his competitors in the NDC flagbearer race recognize. He served competently as Vice President of Ghana from 1996-2000. During this period, he chaired the Economic Management Team that solidified the foundation for the modest successes which the current government does not even have the grace to acknowledge. The credibility that enables Ghana to secure credit from international lenders was laid under the careful and professional supervision of Professor Mills.

Ghanaians know Professor Mills as a uniter. For a country polarized by real or perceived ethnicity, corruption and its spoils, and the disloyalty of both appointed and elected officials to the oaths of their office, Professor Mills is the person to restore Ghana to its founding values. For those who regret the depths to which our country has sunk, Professor Mills offers a reversal of fortunes.

His service to his country as a law lecturer, manager of the nation’s revenues as head of the IRS, sportsman and vice-president puts Professor Mills far ahead in the race. Besides, Professor Mills in these various capacities has shown that public office should not and cannot be an extension of one’s bank account. Professor Mills’ refreshing humility and dedication to the social democratic ideals of the NDC very much contributed to our nostalgic victories in Asawase, Odododiodio and Tamale Central in 2005 and 2006. Ghanaians will redeem themselves in 2008 under Professor Mills, and Professor Mills takes this as his calling.