Some founding members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region have proposed to take up regional leadership positions in the party. This was to enable them initiate programmes and policies that would expand the party's membership throughout the region. This, they said, would enable the party win more seats in future elections to make the party more popular in the region. At a press conference organised in Kumasi on Monday, the NDC functionaries pointed out that some key party members in the region had been offered national responsibilities, thereby creating a vacuum which needed to be filled. The members of the party who organised the conference included Alhaji Mohammed Saani, Nana Ishmeal Buttler, Nana Akoto-Kuffour, Mr Joseph Yammin, Mr Ofori Agyemang and Mr Yamoah Ponko. The others were Mr Abdalla Umaru, a.k.a. Injeh, Madam Yaa Achiaa, Mr Brogya Genfi, Mr Gabriel Agah, Mr Hamza Emmanuel' Abugri, Mr Lawrence Governor and Hon. Amidu Garibah. Alhaji Saani, who is the deputy Chairman of the NDC in the region and vying for the position of Regional Chairman, acted as their spokesperson and stated that the current Chairman, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, was more likely to take up a national assignment, which would render his position vacant. He said other executive members in the region were also likely to move from the region, due to some national assignments, hence, their resolve to fill up such positions to enhance effective and efficient organisation of the party at the grass roots to make it more vibrant. "We want to make sure that the party becomes vibrant and attractive at the grassroots level - from branches, wards to constituencies, which will translate into an effective organisation in the region," he stated. Stressing further, Alhaji Saani pointed out that taking up the vacant positions at this period that the NDC had assumed governance, would enhance fruitful interactions with members of the party in all parts of the region "to sustain the unity and momentum of the NDC in the Ashanti Region". Alhaji Saani gave the assurance that he would bring on board "a blend of experieI1ced leaders and youthful members of the party with the intellectual capacity that would be responsive to the demands and dynamics of the modern-day NDC." "The battle for 2012 has begun in this region, and NDC needs men and women of character and strength to be able to break the front of our main political opponent, the NPP," he noted. Source: Daily Graphic