Ningo youth reject DCE nominee

A youth group in the Ningo-Prampram District (NiPDA) of the Greater Accra Region has registered their displeasure over the choice of Jonathan Paanii Doku, as the District Chief Executive (DCE) nominee of the area.

The group calling itself Concerned Group of Prampram (CGP) contended that, since the creation of NiPDA, which was carved from the Dangme West District in 2012, there had been a tradition and historic antecedent where political powers in the district were shared equitably among the Ningo and Prampram traditional areas.

The spokesperson of the group, Jonathan Djangmah, who made the assertion at a press conference on Tuesday, noted that the Nana Akufo-Addo led administration has broken that arrangement by nominating a DCE who hails from the same traditional area with the Member of Parliament (MP).

Giving a background, Mr. Djangmah explained that both Seth Appeynarh and Alhaji Sarack Nartey who were DCEs came from Ningo, while the then MP, Enoch Teye Mensah hailed from Prampram.

The spokesperson explained that this arrangement has been reversed as the President’s appointee, Mr. Doku and the MP for the area Mr. Sam George Nartey hail from Ningo.

He alleged that, Mr. Doku mobilised some youths to prevent people from the Ningo traditional area from attending the inaugural ceremony of the assembly when it was created in 2012.

He claimed that the few residents of Ningo who managed to attend the programme, were heckled and manhandled by thugs allegedly hired by Mr. Doku, upon their return.

Mr. Djangmah further stated that the nominee had severally interfered in the work of Old Ningo Area Council when he had no power or jurisdiction over the local authority, thus rendering the Council ineffective.

The spokesperson said that Mr. Doku had also instigated residents of the Ningo township not to pay levies such as property rates and daily tolls to NiPDA, an unfortunate situation which has affected the revenue base of the assembly, leading to the underdevelopment of the district.

“How can someone who instigated people to dishonour traditional authorities and government machinery be allowed to oversee same?” the spokesperson asked.

They therefore appealed to the President to terminate the nomination of Mr. Doku and rather choose a competent person from the Prampram traditional area to ensure power equity and continuity of the existing arrangement.

This, Mr. Djangmah noted would promote peace and tranquility in the district.