Task is enormous, all must be on board — Mahama

Page 17, April 14, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

Mr John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, has described the task ahead as onerous, which demands an all-hands-on-deck approach.
He has, therefore, called on all supporters of the party to strive to be part of the historic election that will bring the party back to power to implement sound policies to improve on the lots of the people.
Mr Mahama was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra on Saturday at a dinner dance organised by the Parliamentary Press Corps as part of its week-long activities marking the 15th anniversary celebration of the formation of the corps.
The NDC running mate said the party was making efforts to bring on board his two other colleagues who were mentioned for the slot to campaign for the December elections.
Mr Mahama explained that bringing people on board the party’s electioneering went beyond those who showed interest in the running mate slot, adding that Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu , Mr Eddie Annan and Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, who contested Prof Mills for the flag bearer position, should also be encouraged to play a part in the party’s quest to win back power.
Commenting on the demand by some supporters of the party who agitated for a Muslim to partner Prof Mills, he said inasmuch as he had respect for the Islamic religion, it was necessary for people to base their demand on issues instead of parochial interests that could divide their ranks.
He said he was in politics to make an impact on people and called on his fellow politicians to avoid inflammatory and abusive words to enable the country continue to enjoy peace during the electioneering period.
On the recent pronouncements by former President J.J Rawlings and his wife about their preference for the running mate slot, Mr Mahama said that since the NDC was a democratic party, everybody was entitled to his opinion.
He said he had worked with the former President and founder of the NDC and knew that if he took a position on a matter he did not fear to express his mind.
Mr Mahama said in spite of that, he was convinced that the former first couple would play an important part in the campaign to enable the good people of Ghana to make the right choice.
Addressing the press corp earlier, he said he had accepted the position to be the running mate even though he was comfortable as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole/Bamboi, and urged Ghanaians to make the interest of the country their priority no matter their political and religious inclinations.
He advised journalists covering Parliament to avoid sensationalism but rather educate Ghanaians to enable them to be familiar with the functions of MPs.
The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Kingford Sumani Bagbin, urged the leadership of Parliament to include members of the Parliamentary Press Corps in seminars to enable them to be familiar with practices and procedures of the legislature so as to avoid mistakes.
The Minister of Harbours and Railways, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, who was the guest of honour advised politicians to be careful about statements they make on political platforms in order not to disturb the the peace Ghana had been enjoying for some time now.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh. said the association was collaborating with the Private Newspapers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) in order to weed out charlatans whose activities had become a source of worry and disgrace to the journalism profession.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, commended members of the corps for working hard for the development of the country’s parliamentary democracy.