By Patrick Biddah
A former Finance Minister under the john Evans Atta Mills government, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has embarked on an ambition project aimed at empowering the grassroots of the party.
Christened the “Ahoto” project Dr Duffuor, who is a businessman is seeking to empower the party base at all the 275 constituencies across the country with startup supports.
The empowerment, include providing items such as canopies, chairs and sound systems for use by the party members at the various constituencies .
Speaking at the launch yesterday which came off at the party headquarters, Dr.Duffuor said the long term goal is to provide the needed support for the grassroots as a spring board towards wrestling power from the New Patriotic Party ( NPP).
With the donation of the items, the party at the constituency level is expected to rent these items out and generate some revenue for the running of party activities since functions such as funerals and outdoorings normally requires the use of these logistics.
Dr Duffuor, under whose tenure as Finance Minister saw Ghana recording the longest single digit inflation rate for 22 months, thanked the NDC for their support, stressing that the interest of the party is paramount than any other consideration.
The entire “Ahotor” project is estimated to cost about Ghc8.2m. A total of Ghc30, 000 is however being spent on each constituency.
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in a remark at the function, indicated that the party does not have any problem receiving donations from Dr Duffuor.
He said, the party has been receiving donations from former appointees and that Dr Duffuor’s donations adds up to the list of former appointees who have been supporting the party .
He was of the view that an initial challenge, which arose with the first donation at Ashaiman, has been resolved.
He further explained that the objective of the donor must be fulfilled in line with the rules and regulations of the party.
“People send donations to the party and after an election they come back claiming this want it back”, he noted .
“There have been occasions where donations that were sent by individuals came with some ulterior motives one of which saw some donors saying they loaned such items to the party“, he added.
The Chairman of the NDC, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who added his voice to the support by Dr Duffuor, said the donation will go a long way in helping the NDC prepare for the 2024 elections.
“ We need all individuals on board to support .Your support can come in the form of money, energy, advise and ground works “ He pointed out.
Present at yesterday’s ceremony were the former National Organizer of the NDC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan; the former Eastern Regional Chairman of the party. Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere and a former Minister for Information, Mr Fritz Baffour.
