News

Rawlings: I did not sponsor anyone
Audrey Agyiri-Inkoom, Ghanadot

Accra, Dec 12, Ghanadot - The office of the former President, Jerry John Rawlings has denied media reports that the founder of the NDC is seriously sponsoring some NDC gurus close to him to take over the party.

Over the last few weeks, newspapers have been replete with reports that the race for national executive positions in the governing party is between loyalists of the former President and disciples of his former Vice President, John Atta Mills.

The NDC is heading for its general congress this weekend in the Northern region to elect a new national leadership.

Some reports have gone a step further to suggest that Mr. Rawlings was losing control over the party he founded some 17 years ago, given that candidates perceived to be his favourite were reportedly losing at the regional and constituency pools.

But, Spokesperson to the former President, Mr. Kofi Adams has dismissed these reports.

In an interview on Citi FM, he said that the former President has no block in the NDC but rather insisted that a leader with integrity, high moral standards and a leader who believes in the ideals and principles of the party is chosen to lead the party.

“The furthest he has gotten involved in the election of leadership for the NDC is to make sure that, leaders of integrity, leaders of high moral ground and leaders who believe in the principles and ideals of the party are the ones chosen…” he said.

According to him, delegates should not vote on monetary influence but rather delegates should understand what the party stands for and vote for the right person.

He added that the former President has never sent anybody to campaign against any candidate but rather insisted that delegates look up to the quality of the candidate before voting.

While insisting that there is division in the governing party, Mr. Adams however said that perceived cracks on the walls of the NDC are just at the topmost level of the leadership of the party and not at the grass roots.

“If you go to the grass roots level you will see the unison with which its accept its leadership, all this struggle is at the top…but I am happy that the grass roots have stayed loyal and resolute and not allowed many of these influences to affect them” he added.

Ghanadot