NPP youth agitate over Akufo-Addo’s MMDCEs

Some members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) across the country have rejected some appointees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country.

It follows the release of 212 names on Wednesday 26 April to complete the list of 216 MMDCE’s to serve under the Nana Akufo-Addo government.

The party members have been threatening violence if the president does not rescind his decision on some appointees and appoint their preferred candidates.

Some youth at Mpohor in the Western Region, Asunafo North in the Brong Ahafo Region, Savelugu and Sagnarigu in the Northern Region and elsewhere across the country have all expressed disagreement with Mr Akufo-Addo’s choice of MMDCE for their areas.

At Savelugu, a local journalist, Mohammed Gadafi, told Class News that over 300 youth agitated against the new DCE, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, on Wednesday April 26. They destroyed properties at the party’s office, burnt lorry tyres, and attempted to chase away some police officers who were there to restore order.

According to the youth, Hajia Ayishetu Seidu is an alien. They alleged that she played no role in the NPP’s 2016 campaign that brought the party to power. Similar protests also took place at Sagnarigu against Mariama Iddrisu, the new DCE.

Some youth at Asunafo North also rejected Mr Yaw Osei Boahen as their new MCE. According to them, Mr Osei resigned three months after he was elected as the party chairman and contested for the parliamentary primaries in 2011 and left the party with his supporters when he lost the primaries.

They have, therefore, appealed to Mr Akufo-Addo to rather appoint one Farouk Nkrumah, who they say contributed financially to the party’s 2016 campaign.

In similar fashion, the youth at Mpohor have also rejected Mr Wilson Arthur as DCE.

However, Mr Peter Mac Manu, chairman of the vetting committee for MMDCEs, and the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen, both speaking in separate interviews with Class News, described the actions of the youth as unfortunate.

They called on them to support and respect the president’s decision since he has the prerogative to appoint and dismiss.