Politics of Tuesday, 18 August 2015

Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor

Diplomatic Platform rally behind Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa

Members at the forum for youths and women Members at the forum for youths and women

The Diplomatic Platform, an NDC youth group, has overwhelmingly endorsed the candidature of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, pledging to galvanize support for him in his bid to win the NDC parliamentary primaries in North Tongu.

The gesture seeks to guarantee his success to remain in parliament for the second time in the up-coming National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential and Parliamentary elections to be held on November, 7.

The group demonstrated its open support for the Deputy Education Minister at a joint forum for youths and women organizers organized by the North Tongu Constituency executives in Battor on Saturday, August 15.

The forum was aimed at rectifying wrong speculations making rounds among the Voltarians suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama has not brought any form development to Volta Region as far as NDC is concerned.

It also sought to inform participants on the various project works executed (both completed and uncompleted) under the tenure of President Mahama as well as sensitize them on the party’s modus operandi for victory in 2016.

Various party leaders who took turns to address the participants sent clear signal messages centred on the falsehood image created by the opposition NPP to discredit the NDC.

They cautioned them never to allow themselves to be brainwashed by their opponents that the party has not contributed to the success of the Voltarians in any way as being speculated.

Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Deputy Minister for Communication, appealed to both the youth and women organizers of the party not to relent in their efforts to galvanize support and vigorously mobilize the youth to vote for Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to retain him in office during the party’s primaries in November 7 as well as in the general elections come 2016 December.

He urged all those who are aspiring to contest President Mahama for the party’s presidential slot in the upcoming party’s primaries to shelve any such ambition and throw their weight behind him.

He said: “It will only be a waste of their precious times locking horns with a stalwart like John Mahama whose remarkable achievements has set him apart in a little spate of time despite the recent challenges bedeviling the country making him a favourite candidate and touted as surest bet for the party”.

Leader of the Diplomatic Platform, Julius Logass, out of love for Mr. Ablakwa took to singing his own rendition of the party’s slogan depicting endorsement for Mr. Samuel Ablakwa’s candidature, reaffirming the group’s support whilst being backed unequivocally by the group.

Chanting and echoing the names of Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and that of the president rhythmically for close to five minutes caused the atmosphere completely charged which saw everyone moved amidst resounding ovation at a standstill position completely lost for minutes.

Julius Logass later in an interview with the media explained that the group has realized that Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa is a gem, a party stalwart and a great achiever who deserves to be commended and supported to work carry on his good work. Therefore, he chose to throw his weight behind him.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for the North Tongu Constituency, in his address, highlighted the developmental achievements he has brought into the constituency during his tenure of office since 2012. He called on the participants to campaign and support him during the primaries to win massively so he can continue his good works for the constituency.

Whilst presenting the report of his achievements contained in a 55-page book titled “Summary projects in North Tongu” which highlights a majority of project works (both completed and uncompleted) undertaken by the NDC leadership within the Constituency to the participants,

Mr. Ablakwa admonished them to carefully study the report and be up-to-date of its content so they can utilize towards correction of the misconception created by his detractors.

He indicated that the book does not cover all the project works undertaken by his outfit so far but only about 70-80 percent which is clearly evident serving as witness of the successes chalked by the Mahama-led NDC government in the constituency within a short period of time.

Mr Ablakwa in 2012 contested and won the parliamentary election to represent the North Tongu in the parliament.

He is currently seeking for another term in office to continue his project works in order to bring development to his constituents.

Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa is now a potential NDC parliamentary aspirant for North Tongu Constituency whose fate to serve another term in parliament come 2016 can only be decided by the party members during the parliamentary primaries slated for November 7.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will elect presidential and parliamentary candidates on November 7 as it introduces ambitious plan to have every single card bearing member vote in the nationwide primaries.

The party has pegged parliamentary filing fees at 10,000 cedis and an aspirant will have to pay 1,000 cedis to pick up a form.

Women and physically disabled will have a 50% discount. Presidential aspirants will have to pay 50,000 cedis.

Nominations will be opened on 27 August and closed on 10 September 2015.

The Diplomatic Platform is a whatsapp platform created with youth membership of 100 who shares in the principles and ideology of the National Democratic Congress Party (NDC).

The Platform has been highly inspirational and committed to solving pertinent issues confronting the well-being of people in the society since its inception in July 22, 2014.