TEIN Secretariat appeals to NDC leadership over disqualification of former executives

The National Secretariat of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) has appealed to the national leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to urgently intervene following reports that former TEIN executives have been disqualified from contesting regional executive positions across various regions.

In an appeal addressed to the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, through the General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the National TEIN Coordinator, Dr Mohammed Sadiq Gombilla, expressed disappointment over the exclusion of candidates on the grounds that their previous executive service was within TEIN rather than at the constituency level.

Dr Gombilla said the issue extended beyond individual aspirants and raised fundamental questions about the recognition of TEIN leadership within the party’s organisational structures.

He argued that TEIN executives perform substantial political and electoral duties, including recruiting members, coordinating campaigns, organising political campaigns and mobilising voters across several polling stations.

According to the Coordinator, these responsibilities require sustained leadership, discipline and collaboration with constituency, regional and national executives. TEIN leaders undertake this work alongside their academic commitments, often committing personal resources to advance the party’s interests.

The appeal highlighted TEIN’s contribution to the NDC’s performance in the 2024 general elections, maintaining that dedicated campus mobilisation helped strengthen the party’s support among students and translate that support into votes.

Dr Gombilla argued that the commitment and sacrifices behind those efforts should receive meaningful recognition when former TEIN executives seek opportunities to serve at regional and national levels.

He questioned why a member without previous executive experience could qualify to contest a constituency position, while someone who had diligently served as a TEIN executive could be denied the opportunity to contest a regional position solely because they had not held constituency office.

While acknowledging the obligation of vetting committees to apply approved electoral regulations, the Coordinator called for an urgent intervention to address the exclusion consistently across all regions.

He warned that failing to recognise TEIN service could undermine confidence among current campus executives and encourage them to prioritise branch and constituency positions over their campus responsibilities.

The appeal argued that such a development could weaken campus mobilisation and place additional responsibilities on constituency executives to sustain the party’s activities within tertiary institutions.

Dr Gombilla therefore urged the Functional Executive Committee to review the cases of all aspirants disqualified solely because their executive experience was gained through TEIN and take the necessary steps to allow them to contest, subject to satisfying all other eligibility requirements.

He also called for clear, uniform guidance recognising qualifying TEIN executive service for regional and national leadership eligibility, alongside timely decisions on affected candidates’ appeals.

The Coordinator emphasised that the Secretariat was seeking a fair opportunity for former campus leaders to present themselves to delegates, who would ultimately determine their suitability for office.

Expressing solidarity with the affected aspirants, he encouraged them to pursue the prescribed appeal procedures and urged current TEIN executives to remain committed to their duties while the Secretariat seeks a resolution.

The appeal maintained that an urgent response from the party’s leadership would restore confidence that service through TEIN is valued and provides a meaningful pathway to greater responsibility within the NDC.