Freddie Blay leads in NPP polls

A survey conducted by Ashpoll Consult – a non-governmental organisation – has revealed that if the National Executives election of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are held today, four candidates are likely to win; although keen contests await them.

The four include Acting Chairman, Freddie W. Blay, who is vying for the substantive chairman; Acting General Secretary and incumbent National Organizer, John Boadu, who wants to be the General Secretary; National Youth Organizer, Samuel Awuku, vying for the National Organizer position as well as Dr. Charles Dwamena aka Dr. China, eyeing the National Treasurer slot.

Ashpoll Consult, the main activities of which are centred on governance and politics on the African continent, indicated that the survey conducted across the country from December 13, 2017 to January 13, 2018, came out that the results of the national chairman poll were very close between Mr. Blay and Stephen Ntim.

According to the NGO, Mr. Blay garnered 846 votes – representing 41.67%, while Mr. Ntim polled 793 votes – representing 39.06%.

Delegates hold the view that Mr. Blay, having played a major role as Acting National Chairman in bringing the party to power, should be given the mandate to continue with his good works.

Others who are on the side of Mr. Ntim also strongly believe that this is the time for him to take over and propel the party to a new height, having already displayed his leadership qualities when serving as Vice Chairman of the party some years ago.

A third candidate, the Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Abubakari Abdul Rahman aka Alhaji Short, polled 391 votes – representing 19.26%.

According to the survey, no candidate has till date showed interest in competing for the general secretary post with Mr John Boadu, but stated that he polled 1,792 – representing 88.9% – out of the 2,030 delegates who responded to the survey.

A total of 164 respondents – representing 8.07% – are indecisive as far as the general secretary position is concerned, while 74 respondents – representing 3.6% – prefer a different candidate.

The respondents in favour of Mr Boadu said they were content with his leadership qualities that contributed to the party’s overwhelming victory in the 2016 general election.

Sammy Awuku is also having a field day as nobody appears to have shown any interest in contesting him.

The survey also recorded marginal victory for Dr. Charles Dwamena, who is seeking to occupy the position of National Treasurer. He polled 1,215 votes – representing 59.85% – out of the 2,030 respondents.

They were happy with his work as Director of Finance and Administration for the party (in 2016 and 2017) until his appointment as Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to China.

The respondents stressed that the incumbent, Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah, who is seeking a re-election, polled 300 votes – representing 14.78%.

Eileen Mary Posch-Oduro, based in Germany who is seeking to become the National Treasurer, polled 175 votes – representing 8.62% – while Seth Agyei Baah aka Shaba – former MP for Nkawkaw – polled 102 votes – representing 5.02%.

A fifth candidate, Abraham Amoakohene, garnered 202 votes – representing 9.95% – out of the 2,030 respondents.

Youth Wing

The survey showed a close contest among Bright Essilfie-Kumi, Nana Boakye, Kamal-Deen Abdulai and Dominic Edua, who are vying for the position of National Youth Organizer.

Out of the 2,030 respondents, 527 – representing 25.96% – voted ‘Yes’ for Bright Essilfie-Kumi.

Following closely is Nana Boakye of the National Service Secretariat. He had 515 – representing 25.37%.

Kamal-Deen Abdulai and Dominic Eduah polled 501 votes – representing 24.68% – and 487 votes – representing 23.99% – respectively.