Obuasi, Jan. 31, GNA - About 40 members of the Youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Kwabrafoso, a suburb of Obuasi on Friday announced their defection to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during an executive meeting of the Obuasi Constituency at Obuasi. Mr Haruna Zek, leader of the defectors told newsmen that they were deceived to believe that an NPP Government could address their problems but had now realised that it was not true.

They also blamed the party for being selective in its operations. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Akwasi Abayie, Ashanti Regional Organiser of the NDC asked party activists and functionaries as well as sympathisers not to panic over the resignation of its former National Chairman, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah and others because that would not collapse the party.

"The NDC is on its feet. We are moving forward whether rain or shine. But what we need now is the sacrifices from party members," He said.

Mr Abayie said the party was growing from strength to strength and therefore, needed more support to win the 2008 elections. The Ashanti Regional Organiser said the party needed 30 per cent of the votes in the region and "this has started at Obuasi with the defectors."

He gave the assurance that NDC would work with them especially being the youth to sustain the party.

"We are going to make you a task force to fish out for more people for the party," Mr Abayie stressed.

Mr Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser, urged the youth to resist attempts by the NPP to rig the 2008 elections. He admitted that the 2008 election would not be easy and required branches of the party to be organised effectively for the task ahead. Present were Mr Francis Coffie, Obuasi Constituency Chairman, Mr Paul Raymond Kwofie, Chairman of the Communications department and other executive members.