Tamale, Jan. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, has urged the 8th National Delegates' Congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to choose leaders who would be committed to improving their lives. He reminded the more than 2,700 delegates who have converged for the congress in Tamale that the event was not about losers or winners but unity and healing of old wounds to move the party and the nation forward in the right direction.

President Mills who is also the current leader of the party condemned alleged use of money and other inducements to influence voters and called for an inquiry into the allegation by the next leadership of the party.

The congress, the first large gathering of the ruling NDC after its 2008 electoral victory is aimed at forging unity within the party, consolidate power and chart a victory course in 2012. Sixty-five candidates have filed their nominations to contest the 10 positions available.

They are: two for the National Chairmanship, 18 for Vice Chairman/Chairperson, two for General Secretary, seven for Deputy General Secretary, one for National Organiser, seven for Deputy National Organiser and three for National Treasurer. The rest are, one for Deputy National Treasurer, two for Propaganda Secretary, eight for Deputy Propaganda Secretary and 14 for National Executive Committee.

Contestants including former first Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Asiedu-Nketia, the incumbent General Secretary and Dr. Kwabena Adjei, the incumbent National Chairman. Under the party's current constitution, the congress should have come off in December 2007, after its last one in Koforidua in December 2005.

However, when the congress could not be held at the time for financial and other constraints the party invoked its constitutional provisions to extend the tenure of the present executives. President Mills expressed appreciation to Almighty God for the party's electoral victory in 2008 and bringing the party that far. He also thanked former president Jerry John Rawlings for his advice and observation about the governance of the country but, however, observed that he (President Mills) perseverance and determination to address the concerns of the people was what had kept him in public service.

President Mills said he was aware of the confidence the people of Ghana had reposed in his administration and government would live by the sacred obligation to govern the country with transparency, humility and honesty coupled with dedication and commitment. According to the President government inherited a number of challenges from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and would accept all criticisms in good faith but would, however, push the "Better Ghana" agenda forward.

President Mills uncharacteristically said, what the NDC had inherited was nothing near what the NPP touted as eight years of "Positive change" and advised members of the main opposition party to stop digressing government from its path of development. President Mills dealt on his experience as Vice President from 1997-2001 under former President Rawlings and gave the assurance that he would not do anything to undermine the principles on which the NDC was built.

He assured the delegates that with hard work, dedication and the blessings from God the NDC, which has begun its second year in office, would fulfil its electoral promises it made to Ghanaians to continue to win their confidence.

The President who failed to win power for the NDC for two consecutive times described himself as a "Serial Loser" but however, added that "The serial loser has become a winner and shall become a serial winner", attracting a thunderous applause from the packed audience in the Tamale WAEC hall.

The Council of elders of the party, Members of Parliament, Ministers of state, members of the Diplomatic Corps as well as the Convention People's Party (CPP) were in attendance but conspicuously missing were the NPP and the People's National Convention. 16 Jan. 10