Kumasi, Jan 3, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Executive of the Nation= al Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied that there was a rift between the part= y and the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu.

A statement signed Mr Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the Regional Chairman, sai= d there was perfect understanding and that they enjoyed working together towards the achievement of the government's development agenda. This comes in the wake of widespread reports that a Christmas packag= e sent to the party executive by Mr Opoku-Manu was rejected 96 an indication= of heightening strained relationship.

The statement dismissed the report as a 93figment of someone's imagination" and asked that it should be ignored. It said the party's leadership and the Regional Minister remained focused and would not allow any unnecessary and petty distraction to come between them and the goal of strengthening the party's presence and widen its appeal to voters. The statement pledged their resolve to ensure a rock solid front a= s the party prepares for the battle for re-election in 2012.