By Rachel Kakraba
The ruling NPP continues its regional election of Executives to steer affairs of the party. It will take place in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti, where the internal election is expected to pull up surprises as new entrants seek to unseat incumbents. The outcome of the exercise is seen as a crucial step towards the party’s resolve to break the record of eight-year rule.
The three days event which commenced yesterday is expected to end on Sunday, May 29, 2022 and will see delegates vote at their designated polling stations under the direct supervision of the Electoral Commission.
Greater Accra Region:
The Greater Accra Regional election of the NPP will take place at the International Trade Fair Centre at La. It is considered a swing region and vote pattern often having an impact on national Presidential elections. The Greater Accra region is among the “must watch” regions. A total of 34 aspirants are vying for various positions such as Chairman, 1st Vice Chairman, 2nd Vice Chairman, General Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. The rest are Organiser, Women Organiser, Treasurer, Nasara Coordinator, and Youth Organiser. A total of six hundred and sixty-five voters comprising five hundred and sixty-one delegates, 10 Council of Elders, 10 Council of Patrons, 1 Founding Member, and 52 TESCON Members, will decide the fate of the 34 aspirants. The Chairmanship position, which is being keenly contested, is a two-horse race between the incumbent, Divine Otoo Agorhom, and a former Acting Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Alfred Tiase Boye, Mr. Boye is seeking redemption after losing to Mr Agorhom, a three-time Parliamentary candidate for the Sege Constituency and a former 1st Vice Chairman of Greater Accra Region, in the 2016 regional contest.
In the last regional contest, Mr. Agorhom beat Mr Boye by 7 votes, polling two hundred and seventy-six votes against his contender, who polled two hundred and sixty-nine votes. Whereas the incumbent is seeking to cement his feet and reclaim the seats the Party lost in the 2020 elections, his contender is offering himself as the man to rewrite the script and return the Party to winning ways in the next general elections.
In the General Secretary race, the incumbent Daniel Parker Odarlai France, faces stiff competition from Emmanuel Korkwei Clottey, and Solomon Assante, who have vowed to give the incumbent a good run for his money. Four women will battle it out in the Women Organiser contest.
The incumbent, Grace Acheampong is being challenged by Leticia Torshie Torto, Felicia Edem Attipoe, and Naana Eyeson. The Treasurer position is also an all-women-affair. The incumbent, Rachael Tutu is seeking to beat Francisca Anyorkor Boateng Amponsem to retain the position.
Ashanti Region:
Chairman of the NPP Ashanti Regional Elections Committee, Simon Osei-Mensah, says as a stronghold of the party, today’s election would be keenly contested, especially the Chairmanship position. He said the party being in power for two consecutive terms is contributing to the tension.
The Election Committee postponed the date and venue of the Ashanti Regional NPP election due to the absence of a photo album relevant to the electoral process.
The exercise, which was originally scheduled for Friday, May 27, was postponed to today 28th May, 2022 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Speaking to GBC News, Mr. Osei-Mensah said the election in the Ashanti region ”has a direct impact on national elections, hence the huge interest”.He said adequate security measures have been instituted to ensure an incident-free process.
Eastern Region:
From the Eastern Region, GBC Correspondents report that the event is underway at Koforidua.
In all, six hundred and 30 delegates, made up of Executives from the thirty-three Constituencies in the region, Members of Parliament and members of the Party’s Council of Elders will take part in the exercise.
Twenty-three Candidates are vying for ten positions, with two persons, Twum Barimah Koranteng for the First Vice Chairmanship and Hussein Mohammed Fadilu for the NASARA Coordinator position contesting unopposed. For the Chairmanship position, immediate past Regional Secretary, Jeffery Konadu Addo is facing stiff competition from former New Juaben North Constituency Chairman, Albert Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang.
For the position of Secretary, Tony Osei-Adjei and Buckman Akuffo are battling it out, while immediate past Youth Organiser, Jerry Osei Poku is facing George Opoku Acheampong and Ahmed Yusif Yonah for the Organiser position. Aaron Donkoh, Adamu Musah, who previously held the NASARA Coordinator position, and Isaac Agorku Asante Wuttoh are in contention to replace Jerry Osei Poku as Youth Organiser.
In the race for the position of Regional Women’s Organiser, Fati Vondolie and Mercy Amo Darkoah are contesting. In an interview, Assistant Secretary aspirant Nana Yaw Papin said having gone through the ranks of the party, he comes to the table with much experience. He said he will build a strong structure for the NPP in the Region.
A delegate, Osei Owusu commended all aspirants for the peaceful atmosphere and decorum so far.
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