A former Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region has predicted that the newly formed National Democratic Party will not survive, especially in the Ashanti region.
Frank Osei Mensah says the party, formed by some disillusioned members of the NDC, will not have any impact on the ruling party�s chances in the 2012 elections because it is being founded by persons with no credibility.
Mr Osei Mensah�s comments come days after Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described the NDP as incapable of organizing and winning election 2012. �It is still born really,� he said on Joy FM/MultiTV current affair programme, Newsfile on Saturday.
The NDP, which has been linked to the Rawlingses, emerged last week after an earlier hint by Kofi Adams, Spokesperson of the Rawlingses, that Ghanaians �should not be surprised� if a new party is formed to �salvage an existing party.�
The leaders of the new party are known close allies of the Rawlingses.
But speaking on Adom FM�s Dwaso Nsem Morning Show on Monday July 9 on the possible effects of the emergence of the NDP on the ruling party�s fortunes in December�s elections, Frank Osei Mensah expressed doubt that the Rawlingses would associate themselves with the persons leading the new party, particularly Dr Josiah Aryeh, interim Chairman who was once General Secretary of the NDC but was suspended for allegedly consorting with members of the NPP.
�I don�t believe that the Rawlingses will associate themselves with the disgraced Josiah Aryeh. We have followed (President Rawlings) and others to campaign. In 2008 me and Kofi Adams and Rawlings shared the same platform to campaign. If Rawlings supports them we will advice ourselves,� he warned.
Also contributing, Ernest Owusu Bempah, Communications Director of Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), said although his group had not officially endorsed the new party, it supported the reasoning for its formation, especially as it was based on the ideals and convictions of former president Rawlings.
�We will endorse the new party if it receives official certification,� he declared.
Owusu Bempah had harsh words for those describing interim NDP Chairman Josiah Aryeh as lacking credibility, insisting although Dr Aryeh was accused of colluding with the enemy, �nobody has been able to prove his guilt. Yet these same people are today shouting the loudest and stabbing people in the back.�
�Which is worse, a traitor and someone who has accused you wrongly? Josiah Aryeh was accused wrongly. Even if he was wrong, nobody applied the party constitution to judge him.�
He challenged: �Who can pass the probity and accountability test in NDC today?�
Ben Ephson, Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, advised the NDC leadership to strategise properly to take advantage of the Rawlings factor in the NDP to win the votes of floating voters who were afraid President Mills would be controlled by the Rawlingses.
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