NDC Amsterdam branch was successfully inaugurated on the 26 April,2008 in South East Amsterdam. The program attracted NDC loyalists and faithfuls all across the Netherlands, Sweden,Germany,United Kingdom, Belgium,Switzerland,Italy, Spain as well as friends and sympatisers of the NDC. The ceremony began with a christian and muslim prayer thereafter the chairman of the occassion Dr. Evans Kodie, a renowned Herbalist gave his acceptance speech and advised the entire gathering to work in harmony for the betterment of mother Ghana.
In his welcome address the chairman of NDC Amsterdam branch, Mr. Patrick Dogbe, popularly as uncle Pat, touched on how NDC Amsterdam branch was formed. He said the primary focus of the Amsterdam branch is assist the National Democratic Congress to win the forth coming election. He said Ghanaians in the Diaspora who travel home regularly can testify that a lot of Ghanaians are living in abject poverty, and there is also an increase in Corruption,drug trafficking ,lawlessness, contract killings and total injustice. Concluding his welcome address Mr. Frank Dogbe appealed to all NDC members and supporters to register with the Party.
Solidarity messages were read from all the NDC branches in Europe. Mr. Cobby Annan the Chairman of NPP Holland Chapter also delivered a solidarity message. Hon. Kofi Attoh the Director of International Relations started by explaining the structures of the NDC and its branches. He emphasised on the role the branches play in the running of the Party. He also advised that Ghanaians in the Diaspora should be civil and accommodating to each other.
The National Women Organiser Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe on her part said the NPP always indulges in figures and it is time for them to face the reality because the living conditions of the people have not improved according to the recent UNDP report on Ghana. She said the NPP policies only benefitted the rich, leaving out the ordinary Ghanaian. Touching on the energy, she told the gathering that so far the NPP have not added a single watt to the national grid. She advised her fellow women to be active in politics so as to improve their conditions and that of the girl child. She concluded that Ghanaians in the diaspora should show interest in what is happening in Ghana.
The inaugural speech was delivered by Dr. Kwabena Adjei, He informed the gathering that the December,7 2008 election will be won by the JOHN-JOHN Formula referring to Professor John Evans Attah -Mills and Hon. John Dramani Mahama. He stated that at the moment Ghana is in Debt of about 78 trillon Cedis, 41 trillon from 1957 to 2000 and 37 trillon from 2001 to 2007 , which means that Ghanaians are in more debt that the previous 42 years. He said the prices of every day goods have gone up since the year 2000 tremendously. He explained that NDC is a Social Democratic Party which puts every Ghanaian in the centre of its policies.
On the forth coming election he informed the gathering about the bloated electoral register in 13 constituencies in Ashanti region and said the NDC is in the process of training polling agents in all the regions just to save guard rigging. He informed the gathering that the NDC will outdoor the Vice Presidential candidate,Mr John Dramani Mahama and also the launch the national campaign for the December 7, 2008 election. He advised that Ghanaians in the Diaspora should keep watch on Politicians since not all of them go into politics to serve them. He concluded that Ghanaians in the Diaspora should learn from how the Europeans do their politics without intimidation and victimization.
The NDC Amsterdam branch was sworn in by Hon. Kofi Attoh
MR. PATRICK DOGBE - CHAIRMAN
MR. P.A.S QUARSHIE -1ST VICE CHAIRMAN
MR. FRANK SEYE - 2ND VICE CHAIRMAN
MR. NKPAH ACHEREMU - GENERAL SECRETARY
MR. FUSENI JIBRIL - DEPUTY SECRETARY
MRS. BARBARA WILLIAMS- TREASURER
MR. JOHN MACNALLY-BOATENG - PRO
NANA ADAWURUMA - DEPUTY PRO
MR. E.D.K FIAKPUI - ORGANIZER
MR SAMUEL ADAKWA - DEPUTY ORGANIZER
MR. JOHN AMPONSAH - DEPUTY ORGANIZER
MISS. ANITA ARTHUR-NYANN - WOMEN ORGANIZER
MISS. AMINA IDDRISU - DEPUTY WOMEN ORGANIZER
The acceptance speech was given on behalf of the branch by the 1st Vice Chairman Mr. P.A.S. Quarshie. He assured the National Chairman and the Party as a whole that the branch will put its resources at the disposal of the Party for a total victory in december 7, 2008 election.
The gathering was entertained by the "All Colours Dance Group from Almere"', after that a fantastic reception was held deep into the night, Mr. Kwabena Harrison Frimpong was the Grand Master of ceremony.