Scramble for E/R NPP chairmanship … Former Minister, MCE declare intention to contest position

Even before the National Executives Council (NEC) of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) announces a date for both Regional and Constituency Executives elections in the Eastern region, report reaching The Chronicle indicate that clamouring for the regional chairmanship seat has began in earnest. Names of the former Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for New Juaben South - Mr. Yaw Barimah, former New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive - Nana Kwasi Adjei Boateng and Mr. Amoako Atta, Presiding Member for Atiwa District Assembly, Samuel Annor, Mr. Kofi Lartey, Fanteakwa Constituency

Chairman and Christian Tettey, former Regional 1st Vice Chairman, have all emerged as possible challengers to the incumbent, Mr. Yaw Amoaben Gyekye. According to The Chronicle sources, the interest of the candidates to contest the seat stemmed from the fact that the incumbent performed abysmally during the 2008 general election. As some party faithful express their dismay over the large number of constants, others also believe it would help the party to pick the best materials to spearhead activities of the party in the region.

Another school of thought has it that it would be a recipe for mayhem, considering what happened during the party's congress to select a Presidential candidate. According to them, the current chairman's poor showing and lack of initiative to mobilize members in the region, led to the abysmal performance of the party in the region.

The former MCE for New Juaben Assembly, Nana Adjei Boateng said it was too early for him to comment on the issue, when the paper contacted him. 'We will cross the bridge when we get there”, he said.

Mr. Christian Tettey, popularly known as 'black cat', former Regional 1st Vice Chairman, who also contested the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency but lost to the incumbent NDC candidate, confirmed to the paper about his intention to unseat the incumbent chairman.

According to him, the time has come to change the course and direction of the party in an effort to recapture power from the ruling NDC in 2012 general elections.

Mr. Barimah denied having declared his intention to contest; however, he said the speculation might be a call from a group of people who want him to contest for the position.

The Fanteakwa Constituency Chairman, Mr. Lartey, on his part said his intention to contest was based on what he described as "popular demand" by party members, due to his excellent performance since he assumed office as a constituency chairman.

To explain what he called 'popular demand', he intimated that he has been a constituency chairman for two consecutive times, team builder and a player, and has good human relations with party members at National, Regional and Constituency level.

Mr. Annor and Lawyer Amoako Atta could not be reached for their comments.

The incumbent chairman, Yaw Amoabeng Gyekye, however, said he was not afraid of those who have declared their intention to contest against him because he believes in competition.

The Chronicle's independent investigations conducted in some of the constituencies revealed that the incumbent chairman would maintain the seat without any difficulty.