Sherry, Awoonor join hot race for NDC posts

Two of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Executive officers have bowed out of the elections scheduled for the party’s congress on 27 April in Accra.

Mr Akrasi Sarpong, National Organiser who will always be remembered for the ruthless manner in which he flogged women for trivial offences in the heady days of the PNDC, has made clear his intentions to bow out. Kofi Attor, deputy General Secretary of the party has similarly decided not to seek re-election or contest any national executive position.

Others have given indications but are yet to officially inform the national secretariat while a third person who has officially declared he will not contest his position as deputy Propaganda Secretary, Mr William Aggrey, now vies for the seat of National Organiser.

Mr Bede Ziedeng, who is currently handling publicity at the national secretariat of the NDC made this know in an interview on Wednesday. As at Chronicle’s visit to the party’s office, only three persons have officially applied for re-election. They are Professor Kofi Awoonor, Kwaku Baah and Miss Sherry Aryitey, who all seeking re-election as deputy national chairpersons.

Some of the leading executives including Hon Enoch Teye Mensah are yet to pick nomination forms, thus raising doubts about their keenness to contest, even though the NDC constitution allows for nomination twelve hours before the election, meaning some could still file their nominations at congress.

The position of National Chairman will be fiercely contested amongst Dr Obed Asamoah, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Nii Okaidja Adamafio, all former ministers of State. New contestants are expected to join the race for national executive positions.

These include eight of them who have already indicated the positions they intend contesting with some including, Mr Jerry Akwei Thompson, former Ga District Chief Executive and a right hand man of E.T. Mensah who is yet to indicate the slot he intends competing.

Other new entrants are Mrs Margaret Clarke Kwesie and Tabitha Quaye, all former members of Parliament who are contesting the positions of National Treasurer and Women’s Organiser, respectively. Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, MP for Fanteakwa is competing for the position of National Organiser while Alhaji Abubakari Sumani contests the position of General Secretary.

Alhaji Issah Boateng is contesting for deputy Propaganda Secretary, Alhaji Awudu for deputy National Organizer, Fiifi Kweetey for Propaganda Secretary and Hon Alice Boon contesting for Women’s Organiser.

According to Mr Bede Ziedeng, who was once the deputy Upper West Regional Minister, some portions of the NDC constitution could be amended at congress. He said for instance the current constitution provides for co-chairmanship but that could be amended at congress before voting to give way for only one chairman. Also he noted that the party intends proposing the amendment of a portion of the constitution that makes way for the election of six vice-chairmen so as to reduce the number to three.

He explained that in the past the party’s national vice-chairmen were given regional portfolios but that could change with the amendment of the constitution. The NDC national congress was originally scheduled for 27 December 2002 but Mr Ziedeng explained that the postponement of the congress was occasioned by delays of some regional congresses while certain internal issues also had to be addressed to pave way for a smooth congress.

And from Koforidua, Chronicle has gathered that the Youth Forum of the NDC has called for the retention of the co-chairmanship arrangement at the 27 April congress. Baba Jamal, the Forum spokesman told the Chronicle that those who emerge as the best two in the race for chairmanship should both be allowed to bring their immense experience and knowledge to bear on the rebuilding of the party.

Supporters of the NDC interviewed in the Eastern Region capital showed lack of knowledge about whom to root for. “Everyday we hear aspirants declaring their intention to contest executive positions, yet up till now the list of contenders has not been released,” he said. Nonetheless, Dr Obed Asamoah’s name topped choices made by some 50 people regarding who should be national chairman, with Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama trailing him at a distant second.

The stance taken by the NDC branch of the Western Region, regarding the candidates, look remarkably different, according to sources at Takoradi. The Regional Chairman, Nana Alex Asamoah has made it clear that the Western Region will not look at “personalities” but “issues and those whose messages would convince congress that they will enhance party cohesion and project its ideas even after congress.

So far, the only person who has filed for a position from the region is Ms Tabitha Quaye, former MP for Takoradi, for Women’s Organiser. He claimed all issues have been resolved for a successful congress. Positions that are up for grabs at the impending congress are national chairman or co-chairman, general secretary and two of his deputies, national organiser and his deputy, national treasurer and his deputy, national propaganda secretary and his two deputies and members of the national executive committee who would be expected to hold no portfolios.