General News of Monday, 19 March 2012

Source: The Herald

Mills Replies Kennedy Agyapong

“Those Who’ve Nothing To Show Only Resort To Insults And Lies”

President John Mills last Saturday subtly responded to insults from the foul-mouthed Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) Kennedy Ohene saying “those who have nothing to show will only resort to two things: insults and lies”.

According to him, despite the “difficulties” faced when he assumed office, “there are so many things we can point at,” adding that “action speaks louder than words.”

Addressing National Democratic Congress (NDC) mammoth rally at Mantse Agboena, the same venue where Kennedy Agyapong recently called him a first-class thief, who would be jailed should Nana Akufo Addo win the forthcoming presidential elections, President Mills noted that it is only those who have nothing to show, who will resort to the telling of lies and indulging in vitriolic attacks.

He, however, admonished his appointees not to engage in the politics of insults.

President Mills assured Ghanaians that “the next four years is going to be better” when his mandate is renewed in this year’s polls because “we have been able to remove the impediments”.

Flanked by Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Joseph Ade Coker, General Secretary Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, Chief of Staff Henry Newman, Information Minister Fritz Baffour, Minister for Environment, Madam Sherry Ayittey, and other party stalwarts, President Mills admitted the road had not been smooth-sailing, but God being so kind, his administration has achieved remarkable success.

“We had a lot of difficulties but we have come this far. Many of you have felt the force of the sacrifices we have made. The next four years is going to be better because we have been able to remove the impediments with God being our helper.

There is so many things that we can point to. My brother and sisters, I want to make one appeal; action speaks louder than words. Those who have nothing to show will only resort to two things: insults and lies. We have something to show let us not waste our time on insults and lies. Let the people of Ghana see what we have done. Give praise where it is due but we must not be complacent…” President Mills said.

Making reference to the thousands of supporters that had gathered at the rally grounds, President Mills disagreed with those who claim there is no unity in the party. He said the mammoth crowd was clearly an indication that the NDC was growing from strength to strength.

“People think NDC is in disarray; they should come and see…My brothers and sisters, in any group there will be differences but the important thing is how we resolve our differences. When we deal with one another we must show good faith. Let us be positive and let us be hopeful not paying attention to those who are disappointed because they will always remain disappointed…,” the President said.

The National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Dr. Kwabena Adjei has appealed to members of the party who feel aggrieved to put an end to their demonstrations and threats.

The NDC has in recent times witnessed a number of demonstrations from disenchanted members within the party who are protesting over one issue or the other.

Dr. Adjei urged the aggrieved members to put an end to the demonstrations since they were not in the best interest of the party.

He reminded the party’s supporters that “every group or every organization cannot avoid factions or difference of interests.” “A group without conflicts is dead or is about to die” he told the crowd.

According to him, the party needs to unit ahead of the December polls to not just beat the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) but to “beat the NPP thoroughly and hands down.”

He also urged party members to desist from issuing threats of voting “skirt and blouse” in the December polls.

National Vice-Chairman of the party, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya also told the excited crowd that the regional rally, the first of many to be organized, was the first step towards the NDC’s march back to the Castle.

He called on all branch executives to bring their members together as well as move from house to house to talk to people about the achievements of the NDC since assuming power in 2009 to ensure that the party wins back power.

He also charged all constituency executives to get their members involved in the organization of activities in the build up to the December elections since, according to him, “everybody in the NDC is an organizer”.

This he said would enable President Mills win over 60 percent of votes at the polls.

Stressing that the party’s primaries were long ended, Alhaji Yahaya said the party had attempted to patch up differences that arose during the primaries in the various constituencies.

He thus warned that no member of the party should contest as an independent candidate since there are no independent candidates in the party.**