67 in Ashanti NDC race

Following the close of nomina­tions last Friday, a total of 67 candi­dates are expected to campaign for various positions in this month's Ashanti Regional Executive elec­tions of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The ruling party's nationwide regional and national elections were put off for a month after a member of the party, Njonolah Linus, who had issues with the election guidelines, took the party to court to ensure a level playing field for prospective candidates.

Four people are vying for the NDC chair in the region and nine others are fighting for the two vice chairmanship slots. Five people are slugging it out for the post of organ­izer.

Yaw Obimpeh, incumbent region­al chairman, faces fierce competition from Thomas Kwabena Braimah, Frank Osei Mensah and Dominic Anomah while Akwasi Abeyie, Anarfi Mensah, Alhaji Muntari Kasim, Osma Baba Yaya, Augustus Andrew, Ratia Kojo Koffie, Alhaji

Osei Bosie and Daniel Apan Oshie- man, gang up against Alex Ativor for the vice chairman post.

Acting regional secretary, Ray­mond Tandor, is locking horns with Michael Amedior for the Ashanti Regional secretary, as sitting organiz­er, Alhaji Sannie faces four chal­lengers - Rashid Alhassan, Obeng Adutwum, Samuel Owusu Kankam and Kwaku Anikora Sie of NADMO fame.

For the Youth Organizer post, Brogya Genfi is fighting it out with the incumbent, Kwaku Boahen.

For the deputy regional secretary, four people namely, Godwin Dela, Kwame Zu, Musah, Degraft Coleman and Samuel Pinkrah filed their nomi­nations for the position while anoth­er five put their names forward for the position of the deputy youth organizer

They are Bashiru Dombine, Awal Mohammed, Benjamin Agble, Usman Abdullah and Asiedu Keteke.

Incumbent Women Organizer, Ama Sarpoma, would be joined on the ballot by Hajia Hajara Saddique and Mary Bonsu.

Ibrahim Justice's position as Treasurer is under threat from two challengers - Alex Osman and Alhaji Mohammed Abass - and his deputy faces competition from Edith Amamoo, Ama Hanson and Alhaji Anas Abdullah.

The regional propaganda secre­tary position is up for grabs by nine people, including Alex Yaw Opoku, Solomon Anane, Opoku Bediako Kestis, Cecelia Tumutuo, Robert Owusu Tilton, Hopeson Keku, Anane Solomon, Joseph Sulemana and Nayang Sulemana.

Meanwhile, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocobod, is expected in Kumasi on Tuesday or Wednesday, to woo delegates in favour of incum­bent Ashanti Regional Chairman, Yaw Obimpeh.

This is in furtherance of his politi­cal ambition to partner President John Dramani Mahama for the 2016 presidential election after the ruling party decided to 'dump' Vice Presi­dent Amissah-Arthur.

Mr. Obimpeh also has in his camp the Member of Parliament for Asawase, Alhaji Mutaka Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natu­ral Resources, Barbra Asamoah and Captain Buta, pushing for his re-elec­tion.