<<Print>>

The National Executive Committee of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday expressed appreciation to all political parties in the country for their commitment and support during the funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills. A nine-member delegation led by Mr Johnson Aseidu-Nketiah, General Secretary of NDC toured the National Headquarters of the various political parties to say thank you and present letters of appreciation to them. Mr Aseidu-Nketiah in a message to all the political parties said, the death of the late President Mills was the first in Ghana's history for a sitting President to pass away, and also the first time a leader of the NDC on the seat of Government had died. He pointed out that the NDC deemed it necessary to invite all political parties in the country to mourn with them and appreciated the manner the invitations were honoured and followed up with the signing of book of condolences. Mr Aseidu-Nketiah noted that Ghana was the only country, which presented three political socialist front at the world meeting of socialist political parties, adding �We attend the meeting as Ghanaians and always return as different political parties, this must unite us now.� He expressed the hope that the late President's death would serve as a uniting force by all political parties and the country as a whole towards Election 2012. The first point of call was the National Headquarters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the delegation was received by the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who said, the death was the best time for the two political parties to meet and share their vision for their supporters to emulate. "The contest of election is not about war which supporters and activists must fight, but about ideas, vision and mission and an agenda to move Ghana forward." Ms Samia Yaaba Nkrumah, Chairperson of the Convention People's Party (CPP) received the delegation at their National Headquarters and said late President Mills shared the same vision of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah and that it was inevitable that all the progressive forces in the country must unite and fight one cause, which was development. She said the CPP intended to honour the late President Mills for his vision of uniting Ghanaians and hoped that, Ghanaians would emulate him. At the office of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), the delegation was met by the National Chairman, Nii Allotey Brew Hammond, who said the presence of the NDC showed that Ghana was really the beacon of democracy in the West African Sub-Region. He said the NDC and Ghanaians comported themselves for a smooth transition after the late President's demise and during the funeral celebration. �This is a moment that shows to the world that Ghana is charting a path for peace and peaceful Election 2012.� At the headquarters of the People's National Convention (PNC), the delegation was met by the National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, the Flagbearer, Mr Hassan Ayariga, General Secretary, Mr Bernard Mornah and other executive members. Alhaji Ramadan noted that the death of the late President was a great loss, but also an opportunity to unite Ghanaians, adding �The transition of the then Vice President to the Presidential seat was done in a style and the whole world applauded it�. He said the PNC had never involved in politics of insults in the country and urged Ghanaians to emulate supporters of the PNC. Mr Ayariga said the late President Mills served Ghanaians and not the NDC. He added that he served Ghanaians than even his family.