Trouble brews in Ablekuma NDC

Deep cracks are developing in the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Ablekuma South Constituency over the Chairmanship seat, as supporters of the two main contenders sling mud at one another.

Supporters of the incumbent Philip Lamptey had vowed to resist the contender, one Charles Mensah, whom they claimed had served several jail terms in the past.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the protesters had been particularly incensed by suspicions that subtle moves were being made by the top hierarchy of the NDC to lobby for Charles Mensah, who allegedly served a two-year jail-term in 1986 for forging documents and signatures of prominent government officials to defraud some persons.

In an interview with DAILY GUIDE on Monday via telephone, Mr. Mensah confirmed his bid, simply stating, “That is so”.

It was believed that many party supporters were against Mr. Mensah’s candidature because of his “bad record”, but he was said to be frantically wooing party loyalists to his side by brandishing some powerful names backing him.

Some party foot-soldiers however vowed to oppose any attempt to impose Charles Mensah on them.

“On this planet, God has chosen leaders, whether you have a past or you have a present; and I am one of them [those leaders],” he told DAILY GUIDE.

“I know no failure, so irrespective of what agenda people have, whether diabolical or whatever it is, I don’t really mind. I am moving forward. This kind of machination, this kind of agenda would not wear me down. People have decided.”

He went on to indicate how determined he was to “annex” the Ablekuma South Constituency.

When contacted, Mr. Lamptey confirmed that he had hints of the subtle campaign by Mr. Mensah, even though he admitted campaigns had not been officially sanctioned by the party.

“I know people are campaigning,” he told DAILY GUIDE via telephone on Monday.

Asked if he knew Charles Mensah was being strongly primed for his position, he answered, “That is what I have heard. I have no evidence yet, but people are saying it. I have heard some of my supporters and people who are against some of these actions are saying they are sure there is some foul-play somewhere. But I have not looked at the allegation so I cannot say yes or no.”

Attempts to reach Joseph Ade Coker to confirm the brewing trouble in Ablekuma South did not yield a response as he was not picking his calls.

The jail-term

On December 9, 1986, the National Public Tribunal sitting at the old State House in Accra and presided over by George Agyekum sentenced Charles Mensah to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour, for apparently defrauding a number of people by circulating a forged letter of high government officials in the Jerry John Rawlings regime at the time.

In a case numbered 20/86, Charles Mensah was jailed alongside one other person, Patrick Addo Ashong, who was said to be his accomplice in the racket.

Handing out the sentence, the presiding Judge stated: “The Tribunal takes a very serious view of the offence. Circulation of such a letter brings the reputation of such high Government officials into dispute. If the offence had not been uncovered, the usual stories could be going round, about Government officials using their positions to encourage ‘chit’ and other malpractices. These are acts which should not be encouraged. But bearing in mind counsel’s mitigation, the 1st accused is sentenced to two (2) years’ imprisonment with hard labour. He is also to pay a fine of ¢50, 000.00 [Old Ghana cedis] or in default, serve five (5) years in prison.”