The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Nii Armah Josiah Aryeh has said, the National Delegates Congress to elect a flagbearer for the party presents a great opportunity for delegates to determine the future of the NDC.

Dr Aryeh said, this year’s congress should be remembered as one of unity, cohesion, democracy and progress. He said after the election the party would swing behind the flagbearer and work their way back to power in 2004.

The General Secretary was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Ghana Palaver on the party’s readiness for congress. He advised the delegates to vote wisely, adding that “taking into consideration all factors that would impact on the party’s electoral chances come the year2004, we should not be persuaded by monetary consideration or interim benefits but the future of the party.”

Dr Aryeh said the only choice now is hard work and unity so that the party can come back to power and implement the programmes that are in the interest of the electorates.

He pointed out that, the party has the experience and the know-how and therefore have the programmes that the middle class, the women and the youth would benefit from.

The NDC scribe said, it is possible for the party to come back to power considering the fact that, the NPP is not performing, so it was not proper to give them another four years to continue with the non-performance. I wish all delegates a happy congress,” he concluded.

In another development, Seth Osei-Ohene, the Press Secretary to Dr Kwesi Botchwey, has said the yearning by the delegates to vote for Dr Botchwey as the presidential candidate for the NDC shows that the candidate holds the only promise for the party’s victory in the 2004 general elections.

He pointed that, Dr Botchwey’s interactions with the rank and file of the party, pointed out that, “the broad masses of the people wished victory for him. Seth Osei-Ohene also said this in an interview with “The Palaver” on their preparedness for the Congress.

He said Dr Botchwey has the experience and the contacts and so is the best to lead that party. The Press Secretary said his camp is very sure of victory, but pointed out that, should the unexpected happen, they are ready to support Prof Mills, who he described as a fine gentleman and a friend to bring NDC back to power. Osei-Ohene pledged their commitment to the unity and cohesion of the party.