Kumasi, Aug 12, GNA - Many supporters of the Ashanti regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have declared their support to Mr John Dramani Mahama, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole-Bamboi as the party's presidential candidate for the 2008 elections.

The declaration and the intentions were made at a meeting in Kumasi on Friday.

They said Mr Mahama is an experienced and seasoned politician with good leadership qualities who could spearhead the party to victory in the 2008 elections.

They described him as eloquent, affable and hard working MP who performed creditable as a former Minister of Communications. "We the supporters have confidence in your leadership as an aspiring presidential candidate of the party to help wrest power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 elections".

The supporters stressed the need for them to close their ranks and adopt effective campaign strategies to win more souls for the party. They added, "Failure of the delegates to the 2006 congress to choose a suitable person like Mahama, then the party is doomed". Mr Umar Farooq Gado, Ashanti Regional Organiser of the NDC, stated that Mr Mahama had made the decision to be an aspiring presidential candidate and hoped that he would soon make his intentions known and inform the party officially.

Alhaji Mohammed Alaska, a staunch member of the party on his part said the NPP in its six-year rule, has failed Ghanaians miserably and appealed to the supporters to work harder to take the mantle of leadership from the NPP in the next elections.

Alhaji Ahmed Abubakari, Chairman of the Asawase constituency of the NDC advised the supporters of the party to be committed and dedicated to the objectives and aspirations of the party to form the next government.