<<Print>>

Upon receiving many calls and subsequently meeting the regional executives, the leadership of the "Alliance for the Empowerment of NDC Constituency Branch Executives" agreed to channel all its concerns and grievances through the laid down party structures though dysfunctional and unresponsive to the needs and aspirations of the footsoldiers and the grassroots. However, the last time we checked, there was no elected "Pope" in the NDC, but all elected politicians serving our country Ghana at different levels and positions within the party. All are equal and also the right to free speech is guaranteed�and not conceded to others by virtue of their position, stature and influence. Therefore, with this expressed mindset within the party that an NDC member cannot question the leadership, competence, qualification or call for resignation and/or dismissal of another NDC member appointed to serve both in our elected NDC government or in the party---is untenable and totally unacceptable as far as the leadership of the ��Alliance for the Empowerment of NDC Constituency Branch Executives�� is concerned. To accept that mindset is to undermine internal democracy; build a timid party and/or sacrifice our long cherished core principles and values which are selflessness, probity, accountability, transparency, integrity and social justice. For this we are pleased to put this mindset of the current leadership of the party to test with our individual and collective membership and dare our expulsion from the party all because our right to freedom of expression does not exist. In the face of political neglect, disregard of the branches, disrespect of party footsoldiers/branch executives by the mainstream national leadership/executives and coupled with the poverty, joblessness and frustrations of the party�s footsoldiers---we party elected branch executives from the Central Ayawaso Constituency came together to form the �� Alliance for the Empowerment of NDC Constituency Branch Executives��. Today the alliance is enjoying massive grassroots support throughout the constituencies in pursuing the following agenda/objectives: � CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS�EXPANSION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE---BRANCH EXECUTIVES MUST BE EMPOWERED TO BE PART OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO ELECT THE PARTY�S FLAGBEARER. We are calling for internal party constitutional reform leading to the expansion of the Electoral College which will make the core branch executives in all the 275 constituencies part of the party�s Electoral College to elect the party�s flagbearer, including the regional and national executives. Also, we want the elected branch executives from each constituency to have a representative/appointee on their respective regional executive committee as well as the national executive committee. This is to end years of false representation of the grassroots interest by the constituency, regional and national executives, and also to facilitate direct self-representation and participation in the decision making process at the regional and national levels. � TO DEMAND LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM PEOPLE ELECTED/APPOINTED TO SERVE IN THE NDC GOVERNMENT AND WITHIN THE PARTY. We are committed to the success of President, John Dramani Mahama, the elected NDC government and the Party to advance the collective interest of all. It is our conviction that from 2016 and beyond, no personality factor, propaganda or slogan can win the NDC or any serious political party power�for the electorate are becoming more mature and discerning. For NDC to continue to win political power and shape the political destiny of Ghana, it will take eternal vigilance of institutions/organizations of state/government by the party�s leadership/the grassroots� and demand for greater leadership of those appointed to serve in those institutions/organizations. Also, in the face of failed leadership, we should be bold and courageous to call for immediate resignation/dismissal irrespective of the person�s stature and/or influence in the party. As a party we should be bold and courageous enough to uphold our long cherished core principles and values of selflessness, probity, accountability, integrity and social justice. � COMMITTED TO END YEARS OF DISREGARD AND DISRESPECT OF NDC FOOTSOLDIERS/BRANCH EXECUTIVES BY MAINSTREAM NATIONAL EXECUTIVES/GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS�ALSO TO SEEK FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF ELECTED BRANCH EXECUTIVES/FOOTSOLDIERS Over the years, we (the elected branch executives/footsoldiers) have been reduced to mere beggars and seasonal electoral tools and more as bunch of uneducated fools without vision, direction and aspirations. Despite the fact that we managed and organized the party at the grassroots level, mobilized the support base of the party at every major elections; that is, to mobilizing and organizing the grassroots for constituency/regional and national rallies as well as appointed and represent the party at the polling stations/collation centers as polling/counting agents to safeguard the electoral fortunes of the party�yet at the end of every major elections we are neglected, we do not count and we do not matter. At the success of every major elections the mainstream constituency, regional and national executives meet to share spoil of political victory without regards to the party�s footsoldiers/branch executives. They more often than not use their newly ministerial positions and status as officials of the ruling party to help carefully selected few from the constituency, regional and national level(s) and the masses at the branch level of the party are left out and they become victims of vein assurances, empty promises of the elected government and party officials and not to mention the worthless recommendations of the national executives�in search of jobs and opportunities. This political cycle of neglect and abuse is what we are seeking to end in the NDC through the constitutional reforms and the vigilance of the grassroots. There is no personal leadership in the party thinking seriously to address grassroots poverty, joblessness and frustrations�not to talk about Party Youth Policy. We shall pursue our party, the NDC (not NDC government) to reach out to the branches/grassroots with well-structured entrepreneurial schemes and programs--- through Enterprise Investment Fund making available the needed infrastructure and financial support in encouraging the grassroots to set-up their own small- medium scale enterprises to become successful entrepreneur. In setting up Education Trust Fund (not only Heroes Fund) to encourage and support the education of committed party members at the grassroots level. Also setting up Mutual Trust Fund�where registered party members are encouraged to invest specified amount of money for short term, medium and long term investments. These are the things urging and inspiring us to serve our party and country. We are unperturbed by baseless and false reports in the media of our group been bribed and/or financially sponsored by Mr. Ade Coker in order to pave way for his eventual replacement of Mr. Sylvester Mensah as the NHIA�s Boss. This is untrue and unfortunate. Therefore ,the leadership of the "Alliance for the Empowerment of NDC Constituency Branch Executives" wishes to condemn in the strongest term Mr. Eric Ametor-Quarmyne�s unfortunate comments and ignorance, the naivety of the Young Democrats and the populist press conference held by the youth organizer of Greater Accra---whose only interest was to protect one man�s job whilst hundreds and thousands of Ghanaians across the country who have paid their premium are being denied healthcare and turned away by NHIS accredited health service providers and they (NHIS card bearers) having to bear additional cost by paying for their healthcare. If elections were to be held in July, 2013 can the NDC defend the leadership of Mr. Sylvester Mensah? Or boast of the state of the NHIS? Signed: EBENEZER ARKUTU CHAIRMAN: ALLIANCE FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF NDC CONSTITUENCY BRANCH EXECUTIVES