The founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Flt. Lt. jerry John Rawlings, has commended the people of the Volta Region for the support they have given his party and that without them, the party will collapse. Speaking at the regional congress of the party held at Hohoe last Saturday, Mr. Rawlings said followers of the party had continuously demonstrated that nobody can buy their beliefs and principles. The former President, whose speech was read on his behalf by his special aide, Kofi Adams, however justified his recent criticism of the President Atta Mills’ administration. According to him the criticism were in the best interest of Ghanaians who voted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to power, because it would help the President to speed up development, a target it had set for itself. He said it was rather unfortunate that in playing his role as the Founder and Former President, some people had misconstrued his actions to mean a deliberate attempt to undermine the presidency and crate division within the NDC, a situation Mr. Rawlings stressed would never happen. Mr. Rawlings also denied rumours that he was sponsoring people to executive positions in the party, and further entreated the delegates to treat the rumour with the contempt it deserves, because there was no way he could divide the party that he nurtured. The National Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, assured party members that the national executives were united, and that acts of disunity would not emanate from the executives. Dr. Adjei noted with regret that the issue of the factionalism was gradually gaining currency in the party, and warned that the same negative development, which in the past affected the chances of the party, should not be repeated. He pointed out that the growth of the party was largely at the grassroots, and that efforts would be made to support the activities at that level. The congress elected Mr. Kwasi Aboagye as the new Regional Chairman, Mr Kosi Kedem, Vice Chairman, Mr. Simon Amegashie, Secretary, Mr. Henry Ametefe, Regional Organizer, Mr. Nicholas Fato, Propaganda Secretary, Mr Maxwell Owusu Siaw, Youth Organizer, Mr. Simon Baka Treasurer, and Madam Mercy Kuada, Women Organizer. Source: The Chronicle /Ghana