JOHN DRAMANI Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, in the late hours of last Saturday, was kissing and hugging women and giving handshakes to men, in exchange for money at Pavilion A of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre.

John Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour at a dinner dance organised by the NDC to raise funds for the party’s campaign this year, and as a bait to get the audience to offer higher bids for the party’s paraphernalia that were being auctioned, the NDC running mate gave the highest bidder a hug, kiss or handshake.

John Mahama expressed much sorrow that though political parties depend on the business community for most of the funding they need, owners of businesses were often reluctant to attend such fund raising activities, as they do not want to be tagged to any particular party.

He said it was time Ghana as a country moved from that attitude and start to appreciate and respect the right of people to associate with any party of their choice.

He contended that just when he was on his way to the dinner dance, he had a telephone call from a businessman friend who said he wanted to make a donation of GH¢5,000 to the party, but because of his business, he could not be at the programme in person .

The NDC running mate said his party would continue with such fund raising activities even when it is voted into office.

“Political parties play a role in the life of the public and so when we come into power, we are going to continue to raise funds for the party and we are not going to behave like those who when in opposition were committed to the idea of fund raising but as soon as they found themselves in government and their pockets began to overflow with funding, suddenly forgot about it.

“We have a long haul and I assure you that whatever little money you have contributed today is going to help to make that change that is coming in December this year; and I also wish to pledge to you that your contributions shall not be in vain if we win power.

I am pledging for myself and on behalf of Prof. Atta Mills that we shall give you a government that you would be proud of.

We would turn this nation around with a leadership of modesty and a leadership that lives with example.

“We are not going to be asking Ghanaians to sacrifice when we are living in affluence. If we ask Ghanaians to sacrifice, we would also sacrifice alongside with them. And when we turn the economy around and Ghanaians are enjoying, we would enjoy along with them.

Fundraising is important because political parties work on resources and logistics, and there are several phrases in the Bible which say that it does not matter how little that one gives; it is the heart with which it is given that matters,” John Mahama added.

The dinner dance was a rather modest one in which participants, who had bought a GH¢25 ticket to attend, were each served with a bottle of non-alcoholic drink and a saucer of small chops.

The guests however expressed their loyalty and love for the NDC, as they patronized most of the auctioned products and were quick to dash to the dance floor.

In attendance were NDC top guns, parliamentarians and party faithfuls,