Kumasi, July 3, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Youth Working Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has affirmed their support to the decision of the leadership of the party to reject the national awards to be conferred on them by the state today July 3, 2008. It said much as the decision to award them was laudable, it was appropriate and in the best interest of the nation for them to reject the gesture, following the persistence insinuation, vile propaganda and insults being hurled on them by their political opponents since the announcement was made.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Kwaku Boahen, Chairman of the Committee and three other Executive Members in Kumasi on Wednesday.

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings, Professor John Evans Atta Mills and other top officials of the NDC are among the over 200 Ghanaians nominated by the state to be awarded for their diverse contributions to national development.

The statement said the NDC nominees were men of substance who have a reputation to protect and stressed that if the awards would engender unnecessary comments and political tension, then their decision to reject the award was welcomed one.

It called on party activists and supporters to stand solidly behind Professor John Evens Atta Mills to enable him win the 2008 Presidential election.