Tema, Oct. 30, GNA - Mr Dan Kwasi Abodakpi, Ghana's High Commissioner for Malaysia, has underscored the need for members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to respect and trust one another.

He said party faithful must endeavour to eschew all negative and divisive tendencies at all times, and to remain focused, resolute and committed to the ideals of the party.

Mr Abodakpi, who is currently in the country to attend a funeral, made the call at a symposium organized by the Tema sub-regional branch of the United Cadre Front (UCF) of the NDC in Tema on the theme: "Role of the Cadre in Strengthening the NDC." The High Commissioner reminded NDC members, supporters, and sympathizers that it was only through reconciliation that they could ensure victory in 2012.

"We need to consolidate and solidify the structures of the NDC and take them from the base." Mr Abodakpi recounted that it was the resilient and commitment of cadres that led the NDC to re-capture power in 2008 from the hands of the New Patriotic Party. Mr Abodakpi, who is also a cadre, urged colleague cadres not to take back stage, but rather centre stage in the affairs of the party to retain power come 2012.

"The vision of the NDC can only be realized if cadres become more committed to unite and defend it," he emphasized. Dr Asamoah Tutu, a cadre and a leading member of the party, urged members to do away with petty squabbles, and go into 2012 in a more organized manner to ensure victory. Mr Kofi Adams, Spokesperson for the Rawlings' reminded members of the NDC that they were the best people to tell their story, and for that matter, as they took a retrospective look at the past, NDC faithful should use the little opportunity to inform Ghanaians about the successes of the party.

"We must be un-relenting to commit ourselves to Ghanaians.let good be said about us. Let's not in any way disappoint Ghanaians, because by so doing Ghana will be the loser."

Speaking on the topic: "Creating Awareness for Good Governance," Mr Raphael Roger Beckley, retired civil servant, a lawyer and cadre, explained that the management of economic and social resources to benefit the citizenry constituted good governance. Mr Beckley said accountability, rule of law, transparency, equity, effective and efficient management of resources, participation of the masses in decision-making, were the pillars on which good governance thrived.

He said the way forward for the country was for all and sundry to unite in the effort to bring about good governance. Ex Warrant Officer Salifu Issah advised members of the NDC to avoid complacency and sit under "one umbrella" to find lasting solution to the current problems in the party.

Speaking on the topic: "Carrying the Political Battle to the Opposition," he called for discipline among cadres of the party and urged members not to indulge in politics of insults.

Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Chairman of the African Diaspora Coalition of Ghana said Africans could take off the shackles of colonialism if only they closed their ranks, and united as one family on the continent. According to him, Africans in the Diaspora would never give up the struggle for the dignity and pride of the continent, adding that many Diasporeans looked up to Ghana as the Black Star of Africa, and would therefore come back to help to build and to develop the nation. Her Royal Highness Princess Dineo Meko, Member of the Royal Tswana Family of the Dinotana Village in South Africa, stressed the need for Africans to reconcile and fight for unity and progress on the continent. The UCF later presented a citation to former President Jerry John Rawlings, through his spokesperson for his immense support and contribution to the cadre course depicting him as an "Icon Figure of Africa." 30 Oct. 10