Representatives from 7 branches of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Germany including Berlin, Bremen, Köln, Leer, Luebeck, Oldenburg, and Stuttgart met at Leer in the northwestern part of Lower Saxony of Germany. The meeting was convened by the interim executive committee which was appointed in February 2010 in Bremen after a brain storming meeting with a six month mandate to work on the formation of a chapter for NDC in Germany. The Mr Augustus Kofi Essel, the interim coordinator for NDC in northern Germany, welcomed all the branch representatives to the meeting and intimated that cordial relations among individuals and between branches were paramount for achieving the goals of the great party NDC. “The 2012 general election is less than one and a half years away, so everyone’s support, commitment, and contribution is needed for the much needed electoral victory, so there is not much time left.” he said.

The outgoing interim chairman for NDC Germany chapter, Mr Kwame Arhin, welcomed all members and thanked them for gracing the occasion. He thanked God for the travelling mercies and indicated that this was the first meeting in more than one year and hoped all discussions will be fruitful.

Mr Alhassan Lansah Abdulai, interim secretary for NDC German chapter stated that even though the mandate of the interim executive committee elapsed since August 2010, the delayed organization of the meeting stemmed from the respect for the democratic rights of all individual and branches. He apologized for the delay, but was quick to add that it was necessary to accommodate the views and concerns of all stakeholders in order to get all on board since elections are always about numbers. “Waiting for one year is enough and if there are still unsatisfied parties, waiting for a decade will not satisfy such parties, so we need to move forward without any further delays since we have already lost one year trying to please everyone” Mr Abdulai said. He also entreated members to strive towards sacrificing for the future generations instead of looking for short-termed benefits as their motive for being in the party. “The voice of NDC members will be louder and stronger as a unified chapter than as single branches or individuals” he said. He gave a brief history of the chapter-formation process and enumerated some bottlenecks that impeded progress in that regard to include lack of co-operation between branches, improperly structured communication channels, and half-hearted commitment from the members at all levels. “We should ask what we can do for our party, nation, and future generations instead of what our party and nation can do for us” he said. Mr Abdulai concluded by declearing the interim chapter executive committee dissolved since the 6 month mandate expired over a year ago.

Mr Chris Nayo, a member of NDC Belgium chapter and interim executive committee member of NDC Europe, was scheduled to supervise the inauguration of the Köln, Luebeck, Leer, Oldenburg and Berlin branches but he wrote to the delegates of his inability to make it to the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr Essel was therefore elected to do that on his behalf.

All members at the meeting unanimously agreed that the chapter be formed immediately. An executive committee comprising Mr Kwame Bridges Arhin from Stuttgart (Chairman), Mr August Kofi Essel from Leer (Vice Chairman), Mr Alexander Okai Anane from Stuttgart (Coordinator), Ms Gifty Ahovi of Bremen (Treasurer), Nana Ama of Berlin (Women’s Organizer), Mr Alhassan Lansah Abdulai of Stuttgart (Secretary), Mr Isaac Prah of Oldenburg (Vice Secretary), Mr George Nyarko of Berlin (Organizer), Mr Samuel Enoo of Luebeck (Deputy Organizer), Mr Ampaabeng Kyeremeh of Berlin (Youth Organizer), Mr Lartey Otis of Köln (Deputy Youth Organizer), Dr Prince Yaw Owusu Agyemang of Berlin (Public Relations Officer), Mr John Kwame Eyiah of Leer (Deputy Public Relations Officer), Alhaji Sumaila Musah of Bremen/Leer (Patron), and Mr Okyeso Kwabena Nyamekye of Hamburg (Ex-officio member).

The newly elected executives present were sworn into office by Mr Isaac Prah and the newly elected chairman Mr Kwame Arhin, thanked all gathered in the meeting for the confidence reposed in the incoming executives and urged everyone to put in their best for the success of both the chapter and the party in general. The house was informed of the need for each member to fill an application for membership form in triplicate (one each for branch, chapter and National office) and to replace identification cards with new ones on which the name of the country was written. In his closing remarks, the newly elected vice chairman (Mr Augustus kofi Essel) said he was hopeful that all the issues discussed at the meeting would be followed through and also indicted that all hands should be put on deck to ensure the success of the chapter. The newly elected chairman implored members to work as a team to enable us achieve success.

The meeting closed at 19:46 hr with a closing prayer by Alhaji Sumaila Musah.