The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Joseph Yammin says it would be suicidal for a well meaning member of the NDC to distant himself from the celebration of the June 4 uprising. Saturday June 4, 2011 will mark thirty-two years since some junior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces toppled the then Supreme Military Council (SMC II) headed by General Akuffo. The June 4 uprising culminated in the executing of three former heads of state (General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa and General Akuffo). It was intended, by the regime to estab¬lish the principles of probity, accountability and transparency to facilitate the resuscitation of the economy and ensure the social renewal of the Ghanaian society which had become faceless in the comity of nations across the world. Proponents of the uprising have honored the day annually and this year would be no exception. Residents of Kumasi and many party supporters are looking forward to the 32nd anniversary of the June 4 uprising which is scheduled to come off in the region. Joseph Yammin in an interview with Xfm 95.1 said a boycott of the event would be a breach of the party’s constitution, saying that “the consequences would be very negative to our course”. Expounding the importance of the day, Mr Yammin opined that even the perceived division within the NDC should not be reason enough for anyone to boycott the celebration. He said, “yes indeed, there is perceived division in our party, but that is not to talk about the constitution of our party; so if you believe in this person’s course, it means that the party also recognizes it. Divisions within the party can still not be taken away from what is in the constitution; until we have gone to congress to vote against it. So for now I do not see why somebody will say ‘there is division in our party so days that we are supposed to celebrate… should be halted’. Every NDC person, irrespective of which division you belong to in the party, should make it a day worth celebrating”. “I will defiantly belong to one camp, you will belong to another camp, if indeed you are an NDC person, but what is important is that we are all using one constitution. What is enshrined in the constitution should be used to the fullest advantage of the party”. He chided people who shun the day because of what they describe as excesses, saying “at least June 4 has brought us this far; there are people who are ministers today, but for June 4 would not have been ministers. There are people who are well to-do in society today, but for June 4, would not have been where they are today. So yes indeed, there is nothing in this world that does not come with excesses but if that is the main reason why somebody will not celebrate June 4, then that person might as well also leave the party. Because until we go to congress and change this clause in our constitution, it keeps binding on whoever is a member of the party”. Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana