Mr P. V. Obeng, one of the pioneers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) tradition, has advised party faithful to discard any thought of replacing Professor John Evans Atta Mills as the party's flag bearer. He pointed out that the professor had already started working towards emerging as the winner in the forthcoming presidential election and so he "should be allowed to carry on with his work". "I just cannot see anyone being considered to replace Prof Mills when he is the elected person," he noted. Mr Obeng was speaking to the Daily Graphic in reaction to the names, including his being speculated as possible replacement for the NDC flag bearer. The speculations were fuelled by the public pronouncement of the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Lower Manya, Michael Teye Nyaunu, who speculated about Professor Mills's health and called for an emergency congress to elect a new flag bearer. Mr Obeng said following the rumours about his health, Prof Mills himself had come out to clear the air by saying that he was very fit and had even started working, saying that should put an end to the speculations. An engineer by profession, Mr Obeng spent many years in the affairs of the PNDC/NDC tradition, which saw him functioning as the de facto Prime Minister. He held positions such as the PNDC Coordinating Secretary and later Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries under the military PNDC regime, which was chaired by Flt Lt J.J. Rawlings. During the civilian administration of the NDC, he served as Presidential Staffer on Governmental Affairs but he has remained out of the political limelight since resigning from that position. On broader issues, he gave the assurance that he would continue to contribute to any efforts by the government which were aimed at generating more prospects to improve on the development of the people and the country. "I will offer my services to any administration, unless it is illegitimate or it is proven to be an anti-people government," he stated, adding; "This is what I expect every loyal person of the country to do." He emphasised the need to reduce areas of conflict, saying that he would subscribe to such policies that would seek to address the issue of avoiding conflicts. He said it was important for everyone to learn to play by the rules of the game which, among others, involved the freedom of association and speech. Mr Obeng advised those engaged in the politics of attacking personalities and making unfounded allegations to desist from that and instead adopt more positive and productive approach to politics by addressing issues and focusing on things which would develop Ghana. On the issue of election day, December 7, 2008, falling on a Sunday, Mr Obeng referred to the fact that any change in date would require a constitutional amendment or process and appealed to Christians who were against voting on that day to make the necessary arrangements to participate in that important national exercise. He said it was possible for the leadership of the church to put in some arrangements towards having multiple services that day so that members could either go to church first and return later on to vote or cast their votes first and attend .church service later. Mr Obeng reminded Christians that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" and suggested that the churches should take steps to get their members to go through voting smoothly. He said Christians should not forget that Ghana was multi-religious and that even if Christians were more than adherents of other faiths, a change in date for their sake would mean a change in date any time the election date fell on the worship days of the other religions. "Christians should not think that Ghana is for them alone," he said, adding that they should be committed to religious pluralism and "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things which are God's". Source: Daily Graphic