Brong Ahafo NDC holds biennial congress

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo region), 16 Nov. 1998

Alhaji Abdallah Ahmed, a businessman was last Saturday, elected un- opposed as Brong Ahafo regional chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the party's biennial delegates congress in Sunyani. Nana Yaw Kumi Acheaw, former regional chairman, withdrew from the race at the last minute. Earlier, nominations for positions in the executive committee had to be re- opened following protests from some delegates who demanded that the electoral procedure should be made more transparent to reflect the democratic aspirations of the NDC. Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and MP for Wenchi West, among others complained that although he and Miss Theresa Nyarko-Fofie, MP for Nkoranza were elected to represent NDC MPs from the region on the regional executive committee, they were not invited to any of the party's meetings. Mr A.A. Munufie, national co-chairman of the NDC and Ghana's Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire who supervised the elections conducted by the Electoral Commission then agreed for the re-opening of nominations. In the other positions contested former regional secretary polled 115 votes to beat Nana E.A. Badu who had 45 votes for the post of first vice- chairman. The second vice-chairman went to Mr Osman Gyau when his challengers, Nana Amankona Nimpong and Mr Asafo Adjei withdrew from the contest. Mr J.A.N. Oppong polled 101 votes to beat Mr Chou En-Lai Paul Ankomah who had 59 votes to become the regional secretary, while Mr Yaw Boateng- Gyan was elected un-opposed as the regional organiser. Mr Agyenim Boateng beat Mr Kwabena Acheampong by 95 votes to 66 votes to become the new treasurer while the post of deputy regional secretary went to Mr Kyeremeh Ampaabeng who polled 116 votes as against 41 for Mr E.K. Apraku. Mr Aboagye Damptey beat Mr Emmanuel Framo by 129 votes to 30 to retain his position as the deputy regional organiser while Mr Opoku Asiedu polled 100 votes as against 59 by Mr D.K. Anto to become the regional propaganda secretary. They were sworn into office by Mr Munufie who told them not to regard

their positions as an avenue to amass wealth but serve the people diligently. "You will be doing the party more harm than good if you should lord it over the people and indulge in activities which could divide their ranks and tarnish the image of the party", he warned. Alhaji Abdallah Ahmed pledged to work for unity within the rank and file of the party to ensure victory in the next general elections. He called on members to bury their differences and to work towards the common objective of peace and development for the country. Later in a resolution read by the regional first vice-chairman , Nana Baah Brentuo, the delegates affirmed their un-alloyed support for the NDC and its leadership. They also pledged their support for President J.J. Rawlings' endorsement of Vice-President, Professor John Atta Mills as the party's presidential candidate in the next elections. They said policies embarked upon by the NDC especially in the area of rural development is the best and dismissed the idea of reformation within the party as being advocated by some members. The resolution said the party would give every support to make the proposed University at Fiapre near Sunyani, a reality.