... against him and Osafo-Maafo

The Patriotic Force, a Media Watch for 'Dan Botwe for President 2008' wishes to condemn in no uncertain terms the negative campaign being waged within the New Patriotic Party as prospective contestants march towards congress day in December 2007.

A certain malicious text message purports to create the impression that Mr Dan Botwe seeks to calumniate the personality of Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo, another contestant in the race for the NPP mantle.

We wish to state clearly and categorically that Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe "General" [presently at Sierra Leone in connection with their up coming national elections] has not and will never malign Mr Yaw Osafo Marfo or any other prospective aspirant for that matter. It will be recalled that last week similar text messages that sort [sic] to smear the image of another contestant were circulated. It is imperative to note that this is one GREAT Party that enjoys incumbency presently and it is very crucial that it remains closely knit and held tightly together whatever the Congress results will be come December.

It is also pertinent to observe that there are as many as 18 or more individuals vying for this singular diadem, therefore no strategy of maligning one person creates real advantage for another particular one. Indeed, the actual adversary awaits, come January 2008 and beyond. We therefore warn those faceless people to desist from such despicable behaviour.

Regardless of the source of the said text message, whether it be from within or without the NPP, all Party faithfuls should treat it with the fullest contempt it deserves.

At this juncture we implore every member of the NPP and indeed all of Ghana to take heed of the penultimate paragraph of the Party Chairman's address at the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Party on 25th July, 2007. "I would like to caution all the would-be aspirants who are testing their popularity with Party members around the country to observe strict decorum in their language and behaviour. This is an internal contest and should not be allowed to get out of hand." This team shall conduct a clean and powerful campaign devoid of any indecorous behaviour, and we can assure the Party members across the country that, the best and most fitting candidate who has that capacity to lead this Great Party into battle for victory shall win in December.

(Signed) Joojo Essel-Cobbah Spokesman