Nketsiah to contest NPP Regional Chairmanship

Sekondi, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Dickson Atta Nketsiah, alias Kendicks, a 47-year old, pharmacist and businessman based in Takoradi has declared his intension to contest the Western Regional chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on October 28, this year.

He said his move to contest followed the decision of the current Chairman, Mr Peter Mac-Manu, to contest the National chairmanship of the party.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Sekondi on Tuesday, Mr Nketsiah and his campaign manager, Mr Padmore Kofi Nyekopa-Arthur said after serving as the Regional First Vice Chairman of the party for the past four years, he felt he could serve as the Regional Chairman.

He said he hoped to establish an effective Research and Public Relations Department within the Regional branch of the party to facilitate the flow of information to the public.

Mr Nketsiah stressed that the lack of an effective Public Relations and research departments had led to the appointment and the fielding of unsuitable candidates to contest in parliamentary elections in the Western Region.

He said it was unfortunate that the party lost such seats and "this nearly affected the fortunes of the party".

Mr Nketsiah who joined the party in 1992 had been making several contributions both financial and material towards the growth of the party in the Region and had provided the party with its present Regional Secretariat at no cost to the party.

He said a welfare scheme would also be established for foot soldiers at the constituency and regional levels to assist them in income generating activities and employable skills that would make them financially sound and less dependent after elections.

Mr Nketsiah said he hoped to organise series of fund raising activities to mobilise sufficient funds to equip the constituency and regional offices to remain open before, during and after general elections.

Mr Nketsiah, a native of Sefwi Wiawso, pledged to work hard and bring victory to the NPP in the 2008 election.

In a related development, Mr Padmore Kofi Nyekopa-Arthur, one of the regional executives of the NPP is also contesting the position of the First Vice Regional Chairman.

Speaking to the GNA, he said he hoped to assist the newly elected regional chairman in transforming the party.

He said the party must be able to meet the needs of the general public by making information readily available and accessible to all. Mr Nyekopa-Arthur said he would use his expertise to settle misunderstandings and other grievances that might arise among some members.