British High Commissioner calls on Mills
Prof. Mills has reiterated his party’s commitment to ensuring that the frontiers of Ghana’s democratic process are broadened as much as possible.
Making the NDC’s commitment to Ghana’s democratic process when the new British High Commissioner, Mr. Nicholas Wescott paid a courtesy call on him at his Kuku Hill Office in Osu today, the NDC Leader said that being the Leader of a party that helped give birth to Ghana’s fourth republican constitution, there would always be an unalloyed commitment on his part to lead his party along the lines of acceptable democratic norms.
The NDC Leader however did not mince words, as he made it emphatically clear to the British High Commissioner that as much as the NDC is committed to Ghana’s democracy, there are some ominous signs that some other players in the electoral field may be having their own ideas as to how they intend to grow the country’s democracy.
“The NDC is committed to growing Ghana’s democracy and all we ask for is a free and fair election” the NDC Leader said.
Professor Mills recounted what happened during the 2004 elections and how because he did want to fulfill any inordinate desire and therefore walk on innocent blood to the presidency, he allowed the NPP to win the elections via Jake Obetsebi Lamptey’s press conference that declared the NPP winners.
The role of the Electoral Commission (EC) came up for discussion and it was brought to the attention of the High Commissioner how the EC has virtually killed IPAC.
For example, the EC recently put out its timetable for this election year without IPAC’s input as was the case in the past, and this is a source of concern to the NDC.
Also, it was made clear to the to the High Commissioner that unlike in the past when the voters register is opened early in the election year so that dummy registers can come out early for the parties to have enough time to go through it and correct all anomalies, this year, the EC is planning to open the register towards the middle of the year.
Speaking on other issues of mutual interest to Ghana and Britain, Professor Mills assured the High Commissioner that his government will continue to maintain close bilateral links with the British Government and cooperate on all matters of concern to both countries.
Professor Mills assured Mr. Wescott that the NDC will adhere strictly to its social democracy philosophy and judge its successes by its ability to improve the wellbeing of the vulnerable and less advantaged in society. “I pledge to be judged by the benefits that accrue to the masses and not by the number of hotels that my son owns” the NDC Leader said with conviction.
On his part, the British High Commissioner, thanked Professor Mills for the warm reception and promised that his government will continue to give Ghana all the needed support.
Mr. Wescott said that he was very happy to hear that Professor Mills and the NDC are committed to giving space to Ghana’s democracy to grow and promised to play his part in a very neutral way to keep Ghana’s democracy afloat.
“We will keep a close eye on the elections, stay active in the process, but stay neutral” the High Commissioner said.
Mr. Wescott was also very appreciative of Professor Mills’ commitment to do nothing to shake the solid foundation that the two countries have built over the years.
“I have just arrived in Ghana and the British community keeps wondering what it would be like should there be a change of government and I am happy to hear that you are committed to a governance process of continuity” the High Commissioner added.
The NDC Leader thanked the High Commissioner for his visit, wished him a fruitful term, and promised that the NDC will do everything it can to make his stay enjoyable.
The British High Commissioner was accompanied by Rosie Tapper, who takes over from Mr. Gary Nikols as the Second Secretary, Political, Press and Public Affairs.
With the NDC Leader were, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, diplomat cum academic par excellence, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary, Kofi Attoh, NDC International Relations Director, Alex Segbefia, Campaign Coordinator, and Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, Chief Of Staff, Office of Professor Mills.
