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27.08.2014 NDC

KEEA NDC POLLS: TIGER COULDN’T ROAR.

27.08.2014 LISTEN
By SANDRA ESSEL

The former general secretary of the opposition NPP, Mr. Kwadwo Afriyie was right when he said “fear delegates” after he was given a hefty blow by the delegates of his party recently in Tamale but not many people believed him and as a result, many politicians across the political device continue to bet their hopes and aspirations on delegates without necessarily giving a second thought to what Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as 'Sir John' said.

However, there was a clear manifestation of 'Sir John's fear delegates' comments at the Edinam SHS in Elmina on Tuesday where the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem constituency branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress, (NDC) held its constituency elections to elect executives who would steer the affairs of the party in the constituency.

Ahead of the elections, there were several groups and camps from the various candidates who campaigned against each other amidst accusations and counter accusations.

One major concern raised against the Chairman's group by the other candidates was that, he the Chairman was recruiting people who were not qualified and registering them at zonal levels so that they would intend vote for him during the constituency elections.

Due to these allegations, many people thought that, the chairman, Mr. Michael Asmah stood a better chance of retaining his post as the chairman for the constituency but this was never to be as the delegates applied their usual voting techniques which led to Sir John's open declaration, 'fear delegates' to the game and booted out Mr. Asmah popularly called 'Tiger' to the amusement of the crowd present.

His vice, Mr. John Quaicoe popularly known as Kweku Wontumi Nntake fought a good fight to knock down the 'Tiger' from the game as he beat his boss and former chairman, Mr. Samuel Kofi Woode to the top most post in the constituency.

Hon. Jones Edumadze-Acquah, another strong contender from Mr. Tiger's camp who was seen as huge favorite by many, was also beaten to the position of Vice chairman by MrFrancis Omanano.

Constituency Secretary, Mr. Yakubu Enum could not defend his position as new entrant; Matthew Kwofiefrom the camp of Mr John Quaicoe defeated him to become the new constituency scribe of the party with Francis Asmah as the new deputy scribe.

Outspoken Propaganda Secretary, Mr. Isaac Osofo Mensah, popularly known as Jopak, who was fiercely contested by his deputy, Mr. Robert Wilmont, peacefully handed over the constituency propaganda machinery to Mr. Kobina Thompson as neither him nor his deputy won.

The Organiser's post which was a battle of survival amongst; Francis Kwofie Adam, Joseph Arko and Stephen Kwesi Thompson was won by Mr Francis Kwofie while the Deputy Organiser slot was grabbed by Mr Stephen Mensah.

Emmanuel Cornelius Ampong defeated two other contestants to win the Treasurer position with Mr Thomas Bofo Quarcoe who was unopposed, took the Deputy Treasurer post

Women organizer position was won by Mabel Quayson whiles Ophelia J. Amoah was elected as her Deputy.

Incumbent Youth organizer, Philip Mensah from the Tiger's camp, loss to Frank Arthur with Alphonse Baidoo emerging as the Deputy Youth Organizer.
In all about 539 delegates voted in the peaceful election to determine who should lead their party.

Almost all the old executives of the party in the constituency were shown the exit by the delegates.

This was to be expected because though the KEEA Constituency was the only constituency in the central region where the president, John Dramani Mahama had the highest number of votes during the last elections, the party loss the parliamentary seat it was holding to the main opposition NPP mainly due to activities of the old executives who failed to put their house in order.

It would be recalled that, former NDC Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Ato Quarshie contested the election as an independent candidate for the seat whiles the NDC also presented Dr. Joseph Samuel Annan as the party's candidate. Due to this, there was a split in the votes of the NDC in the constituency.

Though the old horse, Dr. Ato Quarshie managed to beat the NDC candidate, Dr.J.S. Annan, in the 2012 elections, his vote was not enough to beat NPP's Dr. Ato Arthur who was contesting the seat for the second time as a candidate.

BY SANDRA ESSEL
AKOTOBINSIN, ELMINA.

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