Four stalwarts of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) have reacted angrily to what they describe as attempts by some persons within the party to denigrate them. In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the four, Kwamena Ahwoi (former Minister of Local Government), Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, P. V Obeng, Kofi Totobi-Quakyi (chairman of the National Communications Authority) and Ato Ahwoi (Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation) said the campaign of vilification against them in the NDC had assumed new dimensions in the wake of the Alfred Woyome saga even though they had no role to play either individually or collectively. The statement said, the publication being circulated in the form of a “scurrilous anonymous tract” seems to ignore the fundamental truth of actual happenings in the party. Below is the full statement: JOINT PUBLIC STATEMENT The attention of the undersigned, Messrs P. V. Obeng, Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, Ato Ahwoi and Kwamena Ahwoi, all of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been drawn to a scurrilous anonymous tract circulating within NDC circles and in some selected media houses obviously in reaction to our perceived roles in the administration of His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills. We have in the past been very concerned about similar publications in which we have often come in for unfair attacks and criticisms. With the advent of the so-called Woyome saga in which we have played absolutely no role, either individually or collectively, the campaign of vilification against us has assumed new dimensions, culminating in the tract under reference. The attempt to vilify us and other innocent persons defies reason and ignores a fundamental truth that party solidarity aside, ultimately every individual must take responsibility for the consequences of his or her own actions. Even though we know those who are behind these attacks and much as we feel inclined to take on our detractors, we have opted to let our sense of maturity and better judgment to prevail. As we have always done, we will continue to exercise restraint and not compound an already delicate situation. We respect the leadership of His Excellency President Atta Mills and we place the larger interest of the party over our personal hurts. For over three decades, we have individually and collectively committed ourselves to the cause the NDC and the agenda of building a Better Ghana. We have done so selflessly and acted with the best of intentions. We gain nothing from bringing down any of our own no matter how strongly our views may differ. Our commitment to the future of our party remains as strong as ever and we remain undaunted by baseless rumours and infantile conspiracy theories. Nothing will make us shy away from our responsibilities as elder cadres of the party who have as much interest as every genuine NDC member in ensuring victory in December 2012.