IT is legitimate the concern of the rank and file of the NDC for the unity at the leadership level and for the progress of the party generally. This should not, however, sweep under the carpet the contribution of the rank and file to the disunity, nor give rise to false hope that once solved the problems of the party are over.

The Kwesi Botchwey supporters continue to suffer hostility, name-calling and marginalisation in the hands of some pro-Mills elements. They are seen as rebels or traitors to be shunned or driven out of the NDC.

Pro-Mills forces set the agenda for party activities without the active involvement of pro-Botchwey forces resulting in the marginalisation of party structures and the absence of the collective involvement of the entire leadership in crucial decision-making.

This has been demonstrated with regard to the by-elections we have been having with the attendant organisational weaknesses. While unity of the top leadership will permeate the party generally, a change of attitude on the part of the pro-Mills elements towards pro-Botchwey forces is essential to moving the party forward.

We need trust, tolerance and magnanimity. The pro-Botchwey forces have not committed any crime or breach of party rules by seeking and working for the flagbearership of Dr Kwesi Botchwey. They have only sought to deepen democracy in the party.

Apart from the hostility towards and marginalisation of pro-Botchwey forces, there is the need to undo the damage done through the intense mudslinging campaign waged against the chairman of the party in particular.

I cannot understand those who treat this matter as a natural consequence of political campaigning to be forgotten as though it never happened. The damage done to a person?s reputation through intense vilification lives after him and this cannot be glossed over as a trifle. There can be redress and I have drawn the attention of the council of elders to this to no avail so far.

The campaign of vilification has been aided greatly by persons operating from the office of the flagbearer and by certain high office holders of the party who support the flagbearer.

Recently, the detractors of the chairman have picked on the poor performance of the party at the recent by-elections as a reference point for accusations of apathy on his part and the failure to discharge an alleged duty to assist the Finance Committee to raise funds for party work.

Meanwhile, there is no basis in our constitution for that claim. Those who make this claim do not feel concerned about singling the chairman out for condemnation.

Never mind the campaign promise of the flagbearer to possess the capacity to raise funds to meet the needs of the party; never mind that no duty to raise funds has been proclaimed for members of the National Executive Committee, the Council of Elders, former ministers, the Founder and the flagbearer; never mind the reasons for the failure of a high-powered Finance Committee to raise adequate funds; never mind whether given the objective conditions in which we find ourselves any other person can succeed where others have failed; never mind that the character of the chairman has been so assassinated as to destroy his capacity to raise funds; never mind that.

The chairman has often been chided for exercising functions other than chairing meetings of the National Executive Council as stipulated in the party constitution and never mind that past chairmen never seriously assisted in nor were expected to help raise funds. It is good to give Obed Asamoah a bad name in order to hang him as untrustworthy and undeserving of the chairmanship of the party.

Efforts are already afoot to throw out of office pro-Botchwey MPs and other office-holders and in particular to secure resolutions of no confidence in the chairman and to foster an early National Congress to throw him out of office as if this will help fund-raising or improve the chances of the party at winning elections.

Some people refuse to learn the lessons of the past ? the effect of the haemorrhaging of the party starting with the dissatisfaction of people like P. V. Obeng, Capt. Kojo Tsikata and others followed by the formation of the National Reform Party by Mr Goosie Tannoh and other party stalwarts.

Recently, we have witnessed the shock waves sent through the party by the resignation of Mr Kofi Asante, MP for Amenfi West ? an episode that may be a prelude to others.

They want to induce a more massive exodus in the mistaken fanatic belief that they are the only true believers and fighters and that they can single-handedly nurse the NDC to recovery and victory. May God deliver us from these latter-day saints.

The imperatives of success as outlined above will need to be supplemented by addressing seriously the damage done by the proceedings of the December Congress at which the flagbearer was elected.

It should be possible to assuage hurt feelings and address individual grievances through a diplomatic offensive by the flagbearer. A central role for the founder in matters affecting the party will unfortunately damage the image of the flagbearer and the electoral fortunes of the party.

This among other things, is why some of us are wary of attending amorphous meetings or press conferences organised for or by the founder. There is a need to re-define the role of the founder to suit present-day circumstances.

Meanwhile, it is important to deny that the chairman is engaged in a power struggle with the founder and that, that accounts for the problems of the party. People who foster this perception are doing so to mask their miscalculations. Never before has the party been in such a dire need of serious analysis.

Let us be clear, the basic problems facing the party now are indiscipline and the lack of funds and that is what needs to be addressed to move the party forward.

Given the relevant logistics all forces within the party are willing and able to work together for the success of the party; power struggle between ex-President Rawlings and the chairman, real or imagined, notwithstanding. This so-called power struggle or apathy is an attempt to look for scapegoats.

LONG LIVE THE NDC

LONG LIVE GHANA.