Former President John Mahama has once again reiterated that as the leader who led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) then in government to a defeat in the last elections he accepts all blame for the outcome. “I have accepted all blame as a leader of the party. And I am confident and pray that after the reorganisation we shall win as Party” He stated.
Former President Mahama said this at a rally to mark the 25th anniversary of the NDC at Ashaiman. The rally brought together stalwarts of the party and hordes of supporters.
According to former President Mahama, what matters in life is not how many times one fall but “…how you survive and make new impact”. He appealed to party members to “…stop crying over spilt milk and instead think of how to get new milk to enjoy”. He further expressed confidence that with appropriate reorganisation, the party shall win.
In his contribution, the Founder of the party and former president Jerry Rawlings touched on the theme of unity that echoed through the statements made at the rally. To him, “… unity is a beautiful thing but it comes at a price – truthfulness, sincerity etc.” He agreed with the sentiments that the party stands a chance of returning to power in 2020 if they do their homework well.
Other leading members of the party in attendance were the General Secretary Asiedu Nketia, the Deputy General Secretary Koku Anyidoho, the Chairman Kofi Portuphy, former ministers of state and parliamentarians both sitting and former and a host of others.
After the party’s defeat in the 2016 elections there has been some acrimonious exchanges and blame game among some party members. However, leaders of the party believe that by putting in place a committee to look at what caused the defeat led by Professor Kwasi Botchway, the party is gradually riding the storm.
The NDC is a party formed from the then ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1992 when Ghana was preparing to go back to constitutional rule after eleven years of having the military in power. The party went on to win the first two elections of the fourth republic under the leadership of then Chairman Rawlings.