Kumasi, March 25, GNA - A leading member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Sulemana Gado, has urged the party's leadership to ensure openness and transparency in the selection of its parliamentary candidates for Election 2012. He said party members in the various constituencies should be given the free hand to pick those they wanted to represent them. Any attempt to force candidates on them, he said, could be problematic and ignited unnecessary acrimony and confusion, which would be unhelpful to the NDC.

Alhaji Gado, who spoke with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday, said they needed to avoid past costly mistakes and pitfalls. The party could not afford needless distractions and internal wrangling ahead of next year's presidential and parliamentary polls. He said they should remain focused and maintain a rock solid front, adding that with this, he was confident the NDC would retain political power.

Alhaji Gado called on all members and supporters of the party to pull together and work hard to win over more voters.