I will lead NDC to victory in 2012 - Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills has reaffirmed his determination to contest the 2012 elections. Alluding to the achievements and successes of his administration in its second year in office, an elated President Mills told Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCEs) at the Castle, Osu at the weekend, “the way we are performing, come 2012 Atta Mills, I will lead you to another victory.” The President said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had chalked up many feats in education, health, energy, agriculture, among other things, in its 28-month administration of the country. “You are my representatives in the Metropolises, Municipalities and Districts to spread our achievements, successes and the plans we have in the ensuing year to improve the lives of Ghanaian. This is what you must do,” he said. He, therefore, challenged the MMDCEs to publicize the good deeds of the government and the agenda “we have towards redeeming the people from the shackles of squalor and deprivation”. President Mills, who described the meeting as a family one, lauded the high performance of some of his representatives and lashed out at others whose attitude had brought disrepute to his administration. “Some of you, with your high performance, are making much difference but there are a few of you who are not doing well. I must warn that the axe will fall on those under-performing at the appropriate time,” he stressed. The President bemoaned the recent development whereby some MMDCEs flouted laid down regulations of their assemblies and warned that he would not tolerate that attitude. He announced that the Public Officers Accountability Bill was currently before Cabinet for consideration. When approved by Cabinet and passed by Parliament, the law will serve as a code of conduct for public officers, including MMDCEs. President Mills also used the occasion to touch on the rift between some MMDCEs and the party hierarchy, saying those rifts were not healthy for the good of the party and the country at large, adding, “Although some demands by the party hierarchy are unreasonable, they must be tolerated. The president said he was the product of the party, stressing the actions and inaction of the party would determine whether or not the NDC would retain power in 2012. “Each and everyone have a role to play in the success of the party in 2010. There is therefore the need for us to bury our differences and work towards one goal,” he added. President Mills also warned against backbiting, unnecessary pull-him-down syndrome and constant threat against some MMDCEs, adding “I constantly receive negative reports on one of you or another and appeals to sack you for another person.” He further urged them not to look down on the party’s foot soldiers but listen to them because they brought the party this far. President Mills also expressed concern over attempts by some MMDCEs to undermine their Members of Parliament (MPs) with the aim of annexing their position and cautioned that if they did that, they might not reach far. Source: Daily Graphic