It is unfortunate that FEC in haste to deal with a statement that was alleged to have been made at a TEIN program by Dr. Spio Garbrah, deny that Greater Accra Regional TEIN (GAR TEIN) is officially recognized. In 2006-2007, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of NDC, commissioned Kofi Kukubor to mobilize the TEIN front for an effective campaign and general election. Through the tireless efforts of TEIN members in the Greater Accra Region, a new movement, called GAR TEIN was born. The GAR TEIN was officially inaugurated by the then presidential candidate Prof Atta Mills, and the first elected executives were sworn into office by Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, the then Deputy General Secretary, on Accra Polytechnic Campus. In attendance were Ludwig Hlodze, Kofi Adams, then Deputy National Youth Organizers, Alex Segbefia, Campaign coordinator, now deputy chief of staff, and other national, regional and constituency executives. The video coverage of that program is still available. The members of GAR TEIN were effectively used by the party as polling agents, electoral officers, and collation officers in Greater Accra, and other regions such as Ashanti and Eastern. The collation center was at Atta Mills’ campaign office at Kukuhill, Osu. And also, members of GAR TEIN served as research team for the party before and during the 2008 general elections. The effective deployment of GAR TEIN Members, and the successes chalked during the 2008 election, sparked a necessity for Regional TEIN in all the ten regions of the country, hence TEIN members across the country started the process of forming similar groups. In the event of this, several discoveries have been made by TEIN members that, regional groupings will be more relevant and useful to the party not only during an election but also in very important areas of party activity and governance. They have realized how obsolescent the local chapters have become in responding to the dynamics of modern day politics and governance. The constitution of the NDC states clearly that, when a presidential candidate is elected, he/she assumes the leadership of the party. The General Secretary’s office is an executive office of the NDC. How come two recognized elected officers would inaugurate and swear in executives of GAR TEIN which was witnessed by other elected and appointed executives of the party, when in opposition, become unofficial and illegal few months after winning power? It is very important to note that, after winning the National Youth Organizer position at the Youth Congress in Sunyani (2009), the first youth summit that was organized by Ludwig Hlodze (now National Youth Organizer) at Ho in the Volta Region, addressed an invitation letter of participation to the current GAR TEIN President, Dr. David Sunu, and the GAR TEIN (evidence of the letter exist). The question that is bothering the minds of every TEIN member across the country is, when did GAR TEIN become an ‘illegal’ and ‘unofficial’ entity of the NDC? What circumstances contributed or led to GAR TEIN becoming an unofficial entity within 23 months of the party being in government? How can a group that was so useful and relevant in opposition become illegal in government? We caution with all humility, the Functional Executive Committee that, every political party is a voluntary association. People congregate due to common philosophy, ideology, and principles. They collectively become the custodians and administrators of the philosophy, ideology, and principles that binds them together. A higher degree of autonomy is required in charting the structure and the systems that they feel best suit the times and the circumstances, as long as it does not significantly affect the tenets of the party negatively. We again caution that, the position of TEIN in the “schemes” of NDC is amorphous. This is due to the fact that, provision has not been made for TEIN in the constitution of the NDC. Its direction and control is therefore subject to the whims and caprices of an individual. This is scary!!!!! It is imperative that before FEC passes judgment on GAR TEIN, it should be subjected to a well thought-through process. This is a very critical intellectual wing of the party yet volatile. We recommend as a matter of urgency, that FEC should begin to work on Dr. Gameli Norgbe committee’s report to forestall any future event that may cause the fortunes of the party. The idea of forming regional TEIN has become a MOVEMENT and by attempting to stop it, will cause grievous dislocation to the party. Indeed the Regional TEIN movement is progressive and responsive. It is a fact that, in accepting this progressive and responsive movement, some individual powers shall erode. And this fear will make those who are obsessed with power, or fear losing absolute control, jerk and quake. However, it must be borne in mind that, the interests of NDC, and the institution of TEIN is larger and greater than any individual interest. The individual and myopic interest must be buried for the greater good and for a larger course. Long live TEIN! Long live the Youth wing!! Long live NDC!!! DR. DAVID SUNU PRESIDENT, GAR TEIN 0208998220 MR. AFARI JONES JNR. PROPAGANDA SECRETARY, GAR TEIN 0264858080