Accra, Jan. 5, GNA - Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, immediate past chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Thursday announced his resignation from the party citing a breakdown of democratic characteristics.

In a statement to the media, Dr Asamoah who served in various ministerial capacities during the NDC's eight-year rule and during the Provisional National Defence Council, stated that one of the characteristics of a democratic organisation was the capacity to manage opposing views through dialogue, compromise and respect for established procedures.

"Within the NDC as of now dissent, particularly against certain personalities, is considered as treacherous to be dealt with by violence and hooliganism.

"It is obvious that I do not share in those methods. I therefore no longer can associate myself with an organisation employing such methods."

Dr Asamoah who lost his National Chairmanship position at the Sixth National Delegates' Congress of the party at Koforidua late last year stressed the need to raise the level of political debate in the country from personal attacks, threats of political vendetta character assassination, lies and vulgar abuse.

He affirmed his commitment to engage in politics based on values, issues, and principles, and defend the interest of the people. Dr Asamoah lost to Dr Kwabena Adjei, former Member of Parliament for Biakoye in the Volta Region, by 208 to 1,158 votes at the Congress. Dr Asamoah is the third leading member of the NDC to resign as a result of the Congress which incidentally was on the theme; "United for Victory 2008."

Madam Frances Essiam, former National Women's Organiser and Mr Kwaku Baah, former second vice chairman, resigned immediately after the congress citing intimidation, brutalities and breakdown of democratic tendencies within the NDC.

The NDC had been split down the middle between the Obed and Rawlings factions for several years and the elections at the Congress were seen as a test of their strength in the party.

Just before the Congress, Dr Asamoah said the occasion should be used to unite the party and apologised to those who perceived that he must have wronged them, especially former President Jerry John Rawlings and former Vice President John Evans Atta Mills.

Former President Rawlings triggered a controversy when in his speech at the Congress; he said he would pray for the souls of Dr Asamoah, Madam Essiam and Dr Kwesi Botchwey, former Minister of Finance. 05 Jan. 06

The full text of the release said:

"Because several inconsistent interpretations are being put on my silence since the recent congress of the NDC and in order to prevent self appointed spokesmen making statements on my behalf I have thought it necessary to issue this statement to clear the air.

I wish to state that events at the congress and subsequent thereto show the intention of my opponents is to drive me out of the NDC. It is obvious that I would remain within the NDC only at the risk of my life, and that is not desirable.

One of the characteristics of a democratic organization is the capacity to manage opposing views through dialogue, compromise and respect for established procedures.

Within the NDC as of now dissent, particularly against certain personalities, is considered as treacherous to be dealt with by violence and hooliganism.

It is obvious that I do not share in those methods. I therefore no longer can associate myself with an organization employing such methods.

There is the need to raise the level of political debate in this country from personal attacks (physical or verbal), threats of political vendetta, character assassination, lies and vulgar abuse to the consideration of values, issues, principles and more specifically what concerns the people the most in the most in their everyday lives.

I accordingly intend to remain engaged in the politics of Ghana for that purpose".