Sunyani (B/A), Aug. 3, GNA - The disqualification of Mr. Kwaku Poku-Boah, a lawyer and the nominee of Nkoranza Constituency for the post of Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party in Brong-Ahafo nearly disrupted the Regional delegates' conference at Sunyani on Friday.
The barring of Mr. Poku-Boah to contest did not go down well with the Nkoranza delegates, who walked out of the conference.
Delegates from Wenchi East and Techiman South followed them in solidarity in the full glare of some national executives including Mr. Raleigh Opoku, elder in-charge of Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
Others were Mr. Kwasi Akoto, National Organiser, Dr. Edmund Deley, Nana Osei-Tutu Bonsu and Mr. Baffour Kwabena Senkyire, Minister of Co-operatives in the Nkrumah regime and Minister of Local Government and Co-operatives in the Limann Administration.
The confusion started when Mr. Poku-Boah's application to contest dated August 1, which he submitted at the conference was rejected by officials of the Electoral Commission led by Mr. Amadu Sulley, Brong Ahafo Regional Electoral Officer after consultation with the Regional Secretariat of the Party.
The Commission explained that the filling of nominations closed at 5 pm on Thursday, July 31, but Mr. Poku-Boah argued that to the best of his knowledge no part of the party's constitution barred a candidate from contesting a Regional election under such circumstances.
The Party's national executives tried to settle the issue amicably but when it became apparent that Mr. Poku-Boah would still not be allowed to contest, he led delegates from his constituency out of the hall, followed by those from Wenchi East and Techiman South.
Notwithstanding the walkout, the remaining delegates, however, went ahead to elect a nine-member regional executive for a four-year term.
Mr. Kwadwo Afari Boakye, the incumbent was retained as chairman with 92 votes while Mr. Michael Ofori polled 108 votes to become the First Vice-Chairman. Mr. Dauda Ibrahim and Ms. Joana Mayfair Abebrese were elected unopposed as Second Vice-Chairman and Secretary respectively.
Mr. Mustapha Adam was elected unopposed as Treasurer while the post of Organiser went to Mr. Emmanuel Oduro with 111 votes. Other officers returned unopposed were Mr. Michael Kofi Abrefa, Youth Organiser, Mr. Attuh Kwamena Bonney, Education and Ms. Theresa Abebrese, Women's Organiser.
Mr. Akoto swore the new officers into office and advised them to work hard to help the party to retain power in the 2004 election. Mr. Opoku announced that the National Delegates Conference will come off on September 20 and appealed to the new executive members to ensure that the Region elected their Parliamentary candidates as the Party was going to be represented in all the 200 constituencies for the 2004 elections.
