Accra, Nov 17, GNA - The Germany branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said it has begun a vigorous membership drive for the Party in that country in Hamburg.

Mr Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, Chairman of the branch, pledged the support and dedication to the Party on behalf of the 10-member Executives after they were inaugurated in Hamburg.

A statement issued in Accra on Friday and signed by Mr Kofi Attor, Director of Public Affairs of NDC, said the pledge came against the background that the NDC was gaining momentum, injecting confidence in its members and instilling hope among Ghanaians of the values of social democracy.

Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader, who spoke at the function, gave the assurance that the NDC was committed to multiparty democracy in Ghana and Africa.

He said the NDC would not tolerate any attempt to thwart the democracy, which the Party fought hard to establish, and which Ghana continued to enjoy.

Mr Bagbin said: "Our nation can only progress if we pursue democratic policies that enhance the lives of the poor, the marginalized and the economically deprived."

The event was on the theme: "Enhancing multiparty democracy in Africa, good governance, peace and security with special emphasis on Ghana", which was witnessed by a large number of Party members as well as Ghanaians resident in Germany

In attendance were Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, Special Advisor to the Former President and Mr Gershon Gbediame, MP for Nkwanta South.

President Rawlings, who was the guest of honour, asked the NDC members abroad to continue to invest at home and to contribute to the virtues of social democracy as espoused by the NDC.

Mr Gbeho expressed worry about the creeping effect of ethnicity and nepotism in Ghanaian politics and called for efforts to combat it.