Accra, Oct. 6, GNA - Mr Abeeku Dickson, an aspirant for the General Secretary position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday promised party supporters especially the youth of his support to cater for their well-being when he was given the mandate.

He noted that there was a general feeling of discontent among the rank and file of the Party due to neglect immediately after elections adding that this could lead to the loss of loyal supporters, who formed the nucleus of the Party's campaign and activities. Speaking at the launch of his campaign in Accra, Mr Dickson said the feeling of discontent could be linked directly to the Party's defeat in the Asawase and Odododiodoo by-elections as the youth refused to campaign and vote for the Party.

"We deceive ourselves if we do not recognise that there is a cry of discontent within the Party, he said and added that the NPP had a great responsibility to solve the problem of youth unemployment rather than just fighting and winning elections. Mr Dickson expressed regret about the tendency of political parties going to sleep in between elections and shirking their basic responsibilities.

He noted that the relationship between the Party and the Government had been unclear, undefined and ineffectual saying that both the Government and Party were suffering from the lack of understanding on certain vital modalities. He said he was appointed the Deputy Director of the National Service Secretariat in September 2003 adding that for the five months he was in office his initiatives were so profound that it permeated the whole country.

Mr Dickson pledged to do everything within his capacity as General Secretary to resolve those issues in the interest of the Party and the country. He said he possessed all the good qualities of a General Secretary, who should be intellectually equipped, a good administrator, respectful and physically fit for the strenuous demands of the office.

Mr Kwame Agyeman-Hayward, (ed. Correct) a Banker and member of the NPP, who launched the campaign, said Abeeku Dickson had since 1972 been an ardent, active and loyal activist of the United Party (UP) tradition and had been a leading figure in the Party's youth organisation.

He said the candidate was the National Chairman of the youth wing from 1998 to 2000 during which time he organised training programmes for the youth most of whom were in the NPP Government as Ministers, Members of Parliament and District Chief Executives.

Abeeku Dickson went to the Ghana School of Law in 1993 and was called to the Bar in 1997 after obtaining a Bachelor's Degree at the University of Ghana in 1982. He was elected an SRC President in 1981/82. Madam Gifty Ama Asante Ayeh, Member of the National Media Commission and aspiring National Treasurer of the NPP advised the candidates to be decent in their campaign and to address the issues within the Party rather than attacking personalities.