NDC backs down Spio and Ahwoi

NDC backs down Spio and Ahwoi
Andrews Zugah, Ghanadot

Accra, 7th October, Ghanadot - The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reacted to the recent exchanges between the two leading figures of the party Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah and Mr Ato Ahwoi.

The Executive Committee of the party in a press statement issued and signed by National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Agyei, the NDC expressed disquiet about what it said has been a raging public exchanges between the two sons of the party.

It nevertheless disapproves of criticisms and utterances that tend to bring the government and the party into disrepute and ridicule, "While the party tolerates and encourages progressive debate and expression of divergent views on matters relating to the performance of the government and party in general. Equally so, we eschew political debates that degenerate into personal attacks," the statement disclosed.

The statement follows a write-ups in an Accra-based tabloid in which Mr. Ato Ahwoi reacted to another publication in which Dr Spio Garbrah - who contested the NDC primaries with President Mills in 2006 - described the calibre of the Mills administration as second-rate.

The NDC has subsequently urged Dr Spio Garbrah and Ato Ahwoi to "desist from any further utterances that could inflame passions and undermine the unity of the party."

"Meanwhile the leadership of the party is arranging to meet all concerned parties as soon as practicable to find an amicable solution to the problem in the supreme interest of the government and party.
"The leadership further appeals to the rank and file to remain calm and steadfast in their resolve to build a strong and united party," Dr Kwabena Adjei said in the statement.

Firming the party's position on the matter further, director of communications of the NDC, Mr Seth Ofori, told Joy News on Tuesday, the party has been unhappy about exchanges but played down suggestions that it was "embarrassed."

President Mills, since his investiture, has been under fire from critics of the government, who have questioned the calibre of persons he put at public positions.

Interestingly most of the public criticisms of the president's team have come from the NDC itself with the latest coming from the chief executive of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Dr Spio Garbrah.

Another hefty blow that preceded the Spio-Ahwoi confrontations was even more personal and directed at the Information Minister Zita Okaikoe.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpone Katamanso in the Greater Accra Region called on President Mills to dismiss Mrs Okaikoe for gross incompetence.

But while political analysts have described the recent exchanges as a mark of healthy internal democracy, the party is asking for cool heads whilst it resolves what has degenerating into personal attacks between key members of the Rawlings-found fraternity.

Ghanadot