North Tongu chiefs snub Ablakwa

The decision by the former Director of Internal Audit at the Ministry of Health (MoH,) Mr. Christopher Kofi Elebru, to contest the North Tongu National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries is said to have received a rousing welcome by chiefs, opinion leaders and grassroots supporters in the various traditional areas within the constituency, according to report.

And the development has caused fear in the camp of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is seeking re-election in the November 7 primaries of the ruling party.

Reports available indicate that Mr. Elebru is enjoying massive endorsement by the chiefs and people in the various traditional areas and has been tipped by grassroots supporters to unseat the incumbent MP.

Speaking to his teeming supporters after filing his nomination papers yesterday at the NDC constituency office at Juapong, the 61-year-old former auditor explained that the decision to represent the people of the area was borne out of his desire to serve and help the downtrodden.

According to him, with the little experience and knowledge acquired in public service, he felt it was time for him to serve his people.

“I think it is time for me to serve and serve my people better,” Mr. Elebru asserted, and promised a leadership that would be based on trust and commitment to his mission and vision to transform the towns and villages in North Tongu constituency.

He indicated that his leadership would be built on developing the businesses of the constituents so as to create wealth which will automatically contribute to the development of the area and the people.

Campaigning on the theme; “Business for Wealth Creation,” Mr. Elebru explained that for any given community to develop there was the need for leaders to build the business environment so as to create wealth.

“My message is "Business for Wealth Creation. We can create wealth through business, and develop through the wealth we create,” he said.

He expressed the view that many constituencies continue to lag behind because their leaders failed to realise that the concept which promoted concentration on development for wealth creation has now given way for modern concepts.

“If we want to use development to create wealth, there will not be development at all. Even if we will, it will take us the next 200 years. We need to grow businesses for wealth. If my people are rich, education, health, and other areas will be met with ease,” he said.

Mr. Elebru asserted that he has achievable ideas for his community and promised to work with his people to bring the needed transformation, and thus appealed to delegates to vote for him during the primaries for his vision to manifest in their lives.

He believed that a fair campaign would help the constituents to make informed choices which would help the development of the constituency as a whole.

In 2014, Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa, who was then deputy Minister for Information, contested the North Tongu NDC primaries and won with 157 votes whilst Mr. Charles Hodogbe, the then sitting MP for the area, polled 26 votes with Mr. Christopher Kofi Elebru garnering 111 votes with Mr. Kwame Alorvi, former unionist, getting 56 votes.

Mr. Elebru, however, maintained that with the expansion of the electoral college, and the massive support on the ground, there was no doubt that he will emerge the winner at the end of the race.

He went on to state that signals from the constituency were clear that the people of North Tongu were looking for a “dynamic, humble and development-oriented leader” who will leave behind concrete legacies for future generations.

He claimed that the people of North Tongu were solidly behind him, particularly the youth, because they identify with him due to his good interpersonal relationship, and pledged to go all out to ensure that he gets the nod to represent them in Parliament.

To this end, Mr. Elebru advised his contenders not to see one another as enemies but engage in clean campaigns to make the party more united in the area for victory in the General Elections in 2016.

He also commended the leadership of the NDC for expanding the electoral college, saying it will deepen democracy in the country and help the people to choose their preferred candidate.

He also advised the youth against allowing themselves to be used to foment trouble before, during and after the parliamentary primaries of the NDC to safeguard their future.

He, therefore, appealed for unity among the people, adding that the contest was purely a family affair, and must be devoid of insults and victimisation to retain the seat for the NDC and also ensure that President John Dramani Mahama wins the 2016 General Elections.

In a separate interview with some influential youth in the various traditional areas in North Tongu, they assured their unflinching support for Mr. Elebru and described him as a “down to earth” person who has won the heart of majority of the people in the area including chiefs and opinion leaders hence their decision to throw their weight behind him.

In their opinion, Mr. Elebru was hardworking and enthusiastic; adding that he can bring the needed development North Tongu has been yearning for all these years.

They also commended him for supporting lots of the youth in the area and several donations, especially to the Muslim communities.