General News of Wednesday, 8 August 2007

Source: - DAVID AMPONSAH BOAKYE & DOMINIC JALE, (THE SUN)

Lights Off Blacken NPP Forum

…But Ala Adjetey & da Rocha Steal Show

Fate, only last Friday played a LIGHT-OFF knick-knack on the ruling NPP’s drum when their highly-attended 15th Anniversary Forum at GIMPA in Accra was put out even if momentarily, by the on-going national tragedy that has collapsed several businesses already.

Indeed for the brief period of two minutes, a debilitating power outage collapsed the Forum as Honourable Theresa Amerley Tagoe had control of the microphone, and was expatiating at table as executives and invited guests listened with rapt attention. In that brief moment, the NPP were fed a tissue of the blackness half-way into the programme that had stolen the life out of industrial and manufacturing bases that has sent several institutions to a dead-end, meriting their closure.

The former Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey urged NPP’s numerous presidential aspirants to examine themselves well in advance, before they go on ahead to waste their energies and resources.

Speaking at Founders and patrons Forum as part of the activities marking the 15th Anniversary of the NPP, dubbed’’ “Our Roots, Our Strength’’ at GIMPA last Friday, the respected law luminary said although competition is healthy in the party it ought to be weighed against the priority of winning. Sharing his experience he said, in 1992 he contested and paid the amount (¢2 million) that was required yet after examining his chances, he realised that there was no way he could win and so he honorably withdrew his candidature at the last minute.

He lamented how the number of candidates has kept on increasing when indeed just one out of the lot would emerge to lead the party.

In addition to Honourable Ala Adjetey’s advise, the former Chairman of the party Mr. Haruna Esseku bounced back by informing that the constitution of the party was drafted at a time the party was in opposition and therefore needed a second look .

A founding member of the party Mr. J.B. da-Rocha captured the spirit of the night, when he took the forum through an excellent expose of taking care of the foot-soldiers who fought through rough times to get the Party back on track.

He charged the party’s leadership to remember where they were coming from and also recognize the efforts of the people who helped them to clique to the power. He said some of the people including what he termed as the ‘’foot-soldiers’’ need nothing from the government but recognition.

Recognition was used through out the speeches delivered there yet more meaning were read to it.

Mr. da Rocha, observed that the party members demonstrated genuine loved while in opposition than today when they have the power.

He warned all those who were undermine and maligning their fellow aspirants to get to the top to desist from such unhealthy practice. He said such attitude when not nib would tear off the party.

He however, urged the entire leadership to recognize the heroes and the heroine in the party.