The membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Massachusetts, USA have made a passionate appeal to all interest groups within the National party who are lobbying for their preferred vice presidential candidates to be circumspective in their approach so as to avoid the recurrence of the event leading to the 2004 presidential election which adversely effected the prospects of the party at the time.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the membership of NDC Massachusetts cautioned all stake holders within the party who are vigorously advocating for the selection of their candidates for vice president to be mindful of the need to maintain a united front as a party regardless of whoever is chosen to partner with Professor Atta Mills. They also stated that it is highly essential, and politically expedient for the rank and file of the party to respect the authority of the current leader and presidential candidate of the NDC party to choose a vice presidential candidate who in his view, and having considered all options, will provide the needed balance to enable the party triumph during the elections in December 2008.

The Massachusetts NDC humbly requests all interested parties who are lobbying for their choice of candidates to give Professor Mills the free hand to make his selection for endorsement by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. They also noted that so far, all those who are in contention are capable of filling not only the Veep slot, but also Speaker of Parliament, Chairpersons of State Institutions and other key positions as the next President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills may deem fit. The statement continued that even though it is legitimate for interested parties to lobby for consideration by the flag bearer, nothing should be done at the expense of party unity. “In the spirit of comradeship and patriotism, NDC – Massachusetts therefore appeals to every Tom, Dick, and Harry to proceed with decorum, and not give the party’s detractors opportunity to weaken our front”. The statement added. NDC – Massachusetts also hopes that the leadership of the party will resolve this issue as quickly as possible to enable the campaign to focus on other crucial issues. These concerns were expressed during a meeting of NDC – Massachusetts, USA at which it was announced that assorted office machines and party panerphineria are being donated to the national campaign. ASSORTED OFFICE MACHINES AND PARTY PANERPHINERIA. The donation comprise a total of forty units of assorted office equipments made up of faxmille machines, photo copiers, scanners, and computer printers, assorted office tools, and one thousand printed T SHIRTS .

Honorable Kofi Totobi Quakye, former Minister of National Security of Ghana and a leading member of the party who is also a member of the counsel of elders of NDC – Massachusetts, braved his medical condition to attend the meeting. He used the occasion to personally thank the executive and members for their brotherly support and prayers during his medical crisis in the US. Mr. Quakye also shared lots of thoughts with the participants and encouraged them to remain committed and steadfast in defense of the NDC’s philosophy and programs. The former National Security Chief also commended the NDC Worcester chapter for the gesture and appealed to other NDC branches in the diaspora to support the campaign.

Other party officials, including former NDC government functionaries who attended the meeting came from New York, Connecticut, and Washington DC Metropolitan Area.

Making the Presentation, the chairman of NDC – Massachusetts, Mr. Appiah Twumasi Ankrah noted that the items were in fulfillment of a promise made by the chapter to Professor Mills when he visited Massachusetts last year summer as part of his US tour.

It will be recalled that on September, 18 2007 Professor John Evans Atta Mills visited Massachusetts to interact with the Ghanaian Community. During his visit, Professor Mills was made an honorary citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at a colorful ceremony by the Worcester city authorities, in recognition of his contribution towards democratic governance not only in Ghana but throughout the world. Professor Mills also used the occasion to officially inaugurate the NDC branch in Massachusetts, USA.

Honorable Kofi Totobi Quakye and Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo, a Lecturer, diplomat and a former Minister of state as well as other NDC leaders in North America were very instrumental in planting the great AKATAMANSO seed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. SOURCE: