The Daily Dispatch, a private newspaper says it belongs to the school of thought, which believes that the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) should be strengthened to put the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government on its toes.

The essence of democracy the paper says is for a government in power to be aware that should it not rule well, there is a party in the wings to be voted into office. This is how the NPP?s patience paid off after 29 years in opposition.

However, the painful truth is that in the aftermath of the NDC?s marathon delegates? congress last weekend, the NDC is on the verge of collapse unless drastic overhaul of the party takes place immediately.

According to the paper, the 24 new executives of the party have important roles to play in preventing the party from collapsing. The run-up to the Congress indicated that the party was split into two main schools of thought on how the party should grow, after the 2000 elections defeat. There are perceived Rawlings and Obed Asamoah groups, although both Rawlings and Asamoah have disputed the reports.

The Dispatch?s brief analysis of the voting pattern at the just-ended delegates? congress showed the deep difference between the two schools of thought. Of the three original candidates ? Dr. Asamoah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu and Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong ? the last two were in the anti-Obed Asamoah faction. Mr. Owusu-Acheampong stepping down made the race closer and had he not withdrawn, there was the likelihood of the two sharing the anti-Obed votes.

?The National Executive Committee is made up of people who vehemently opposed the candidature of Dr. Asamoah for alleged irregularities which have not been proved. The allegations and counter-allegations which were thrown out into the open, were so damaging that many independent observers were kept wondering how deep the rift is.?

?This is not to create the impression that all the 24 members of the executive are against the vision of not making the Rawlings factor the central core of the NDC?s growth. Three of the six vice-chairpersons ? Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Messrs Lee Ocran and E.T. Mensah openly opposed Dr. Asamoah?s candidature. Quite a number of national executives may not necessarily support Dr. Asamoah as a person but like his vision for the party,? the paper suggests.