THE flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has assured the members and supporters that the party has not collapsed contrary to what is being peddled by its opponents.

He said there is genuine unity and mutual understanding within the leadership and called on the rank and file of the party to bury all their past differences, forge ahead in unity and move the party forward.

Prof. Mills gave the assurance when he toured some of the rural communities in the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency as part of his tour of the Central Region to introduce himself to the chiefs and people as the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2004 Presidential elections, interact with them and solicit for their votes.

The communities visited were Ajumako Mando, Abeadze, Esikado, Kwanyako, Bisease Enyam Denkyira, Kokwaado, Etsii Sunkwa, Enyan-Maim, Apaa and Abaasa.

Prof Mills was accompanied by the regional and constituency executive of the party including the Regional Chairman and Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, Dr Ato Quarshie; the Secretary, Mr Peter Light Koomson; Organiser, Mr Ani-Blankson and Mr George Kuntu Blankson a former District Chief Executive for Mfantsiman.

The rest are Mrs Mary Padmore Dadzie, the 2000 parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Mr Solomon Aidoo a former DCE for the area and Mr Jacob K. Quansah the constituency chairman.

Addressing the party members and supporters as well as the chiefs and people at the gatherings the flagbearer said he declined to give promises during the 2000 electioneering campaign but those who chose to do so have failed woefully to honour the sweet promises.

Prof Mills therefore asked the chiefs and people not to listen any longer to the lies and vain promises of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which has only succeeded in bringing untold hardship to the people especially the rural folks, just after two and a half years in office and wondered what will happen to the life of the ordinary Ghanaian if the party continues to remain in power.

He said the defeat of the NDC at the 2000 general polls was to enable the party to take stock of its performance while it was in power and more important, offer Ghanaians the opportunity to compare the NDC to the NPP and determine for themselves whether the country is now moving forward or backward.

Prof Mills who is also a former Vice-President, said the NDC government under their able leadership proved beyond all doubt that it was capable of developing the country and appealed for the maximum support of the people to return the party to power in 2004 to enable it to continue its unfinished job of transforming socio-economic life in the country.