The ruling National Democratic Congress [NDC] has with immediate effect banned all unrecognized groupings such as footsoldiers in the party that are not recognized by the party’s constitution. The ban, said to have been imposed since 2002, has been renewed following the current splinter forces emerging to support individuals as candidates for Election 2012. Persons calling themselves footsoldiers have since Sunday ignited heated debates in the party and on the political landscape after they posted campaign posters of for First Lady, Nana Konadu Rawlings in parts of the country and urging her to accept their sponsorship of her for post. Nana Konadu is also a Vice Chairperson of the ruling NDC. The proposal has since elicited reactions, with other groups of footsoldiers declaring support for President Mills as their choice for Election 2012. But after a marathon meeting by all ten regional chairmen of the party held in Accra Tuesday, they resolved, as custodians of the party in the various regions, to caution members and activists to respect the structures of the NDC and adhere to laid down procedures. Greater Accra Regional chairman, Ade Coker told Asempa FM’s current affairs programme Ekosii Sen that the regional chairmen also resolved that all other groups apart from the Women and Youth groups as the only recognized groups by the party and that any other group is disbanded. Anyone who holds himself out as a member of any illegal group faces sanctions, he said. Mr. Coker who proceeded to read a resolution of the meeting, also asked the media not to entertain any group on their platforms. The party chairmen also asked those interested in contesting for the flagbearership to bide their time and go through the proper structures of the party, asking also for a ceasefire on all outstanding issues including the current debate on footsoldiers who are asking Mrs. Rawlings to contest the presidential candidature of the NDC. Story by Kwadwo Asare-Baffour Acheampong/Asempa News/Ghana