Dr. Kwabena Adjei, the Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that he would have wished the party was more united than it is today ahead of the crucial December polls. Dr. Adjei is worried such factions within the party could have adverse effects on the party�s chances of retaining power.
The experienced politician was speaking on Multi TV in an interview that bordered on his career as well as other controversial party issues.
Dr. Adjei admitted though, that �any organisation or political party that does not have conflictual relationships is dead,� adding, the important thing is ensure that the conflict does not escalate into unmanageable proportions.
He expressed dismay at the �leakage� of a confidential letter addressed to President Mills, former President Rawlings amd other leading members of the party that was intercepted by mediain January. The letter warned party members of the imminent danger could derail the party�s electoral chances.
He said the letter was sent out to key party functionaries in order to find a lasting solution to the deep-seated division that was sprouting in the party.
�You can�t prevent groups from forming. You know, we are a congress of people from different backgrounds with different interests and sometimes it can be difficult to manage. So when it becomes difficult to manage, you appeal to your higher authority to try to see that things don�t go out of hand.�
He is however certain the present challenges of the party will be surmounted soon. �We are very vibrant but we wished things could be better than now so that we all move forward in unison and in unity. So it�s not as I would expect but it�s not too bad.�
He described the FONKAR group as a �situational� group that completed its purpose after the curtains were drawn on the flagbearership race of the party. According to him, the party does not consider FONKAR as the problem plaguing it.
Dr. Adjei said the party is more worried about the diverse pent up anger being vented by party members in public when there are laid down procedures for these grievances to be addressed.
He however assured that the party would do all it can to foster the needed unity ahead of the elections.
Sings Rawlings� Praise
Dr. Adjei also eulogized former President Rawlings for his role in keeping the country intact following an era he described as �a recurrent decimal of coups.�
�The man Jerry didn�t like such extremism. So gradually he brought people from different ideological backgrounds like me, like others we know, like Francis Annan, like J.H. Owusu Acheampong we were all from different political persuasions with a mindset that this country must move and that we must make sure that the people see development in their lifetime.�
He said this engendered a sense of unity among people from different political orientations in the country.
�That has produced the stability that we see today; Jerry John Rawlings in bringing all of us together and for us to think together and say that ideologies are simple labels.�
UP Tradition�s 'Voltarians' Aversion
Touching on the reason why he stood on the ticket of the UFP in the 1970s, Dr. Adjei slammed former officials of the Nkrumah regime describing them as traitors who betrayed Ghana�s first president.
�Nkrumah was betrayed. He was given so many names. He was described as doing so many things he didn�t do... He was my idol so maybe I was blind to what they are saying but I think he wasn�t the person they think he was. He wasn�t the murderer they think he was.
Discontented with the CPP officials, Dr. Adjei joined the United Front Party, which had its entrails tied to the UP tradition. He said on joining the party, he realised that he views were not regarded in the party.
�I was very open and I wanted change and they weren�t open. They didn�t want change and I don�t think they are open now and they want change.� He also expressed regret at joining the UP tradition at the time.
�They were not open to ideas and you know I come from the Volta Region and I don�t think that they gave me the respect that they should give a Ghanaian and so I felt I didn�t belong.�
When the host of the programme asked if he thought this was because he hailed from the Volta Region, Dr. Kwabena Adjei responded with dispatch: �precisely that is what I have said.�
Dr. Adjei was full of praise for his team that ushered the NDC into power. He said the team he worked with did a great job as they lacked the financial wherewithal to compete with then government.
He said with his ability to motivate �through the power of interpersonal relationships�, he intends to knit the party�s broken front together before the general election.
Source: Radio XYZ News/Ghana
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