Prepare for gov't-Afoko assures NPP
The newly elected chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party has given a resounding assurance to the leading members and supporters of the party to prepare for government.
Paul Afoko gave the assurance in his acceptance speech shortly after he and his new team of executives were sworn into office.
He polled 2,032 votes to beat his closest challenger, Stephen Ntim who polled 1,500 votes.
Shockingly, the incumbent chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey could only manage 66. His vice chairman, Fred Oware polled 1,135 votes.
Speaking to a skeleton team of delegates and party supporters after almost 24 hour National Delegates Conference, Paul Afoko said the "choice of the delegates" is "our marching orders."
"We have heard your order and it is your turn to prepare for government. Prepare for power," he indicated.
He thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him.
The 16th Annual Delegates Conference was under the theme "Our Roots, Our Strength, Our future."
The Conference coincided with the 60th Anniversary celebration of the formation of the Northern Peoples Party.
The conference was also in honor of the late Vice President Aliu Mahama who died in 2012.
In all 44 aspirants contested for national offices and after 20 hours of several activities including voting and counting some shocking results were recorded.
Kwabena Agyapong now becomes the General Secretary after beating the incumbent Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie. In an overwhelming victory, the former press secretary to president John Kufuor polled 2,529 votes to down Sir John who also polled 1,990.
For the National Organiser position John Boadu won overwhelmingly with 3,279 votes to beat the incumbent Alhaji Monctar Bamba who polled 474 votes. Hopeson Adorye polled 984 votes.
Esther Ofori also lost the National Treasurer position to Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah who polled 2,483 votes. Ofori settled for 503 votes.
In a close contest in the Women's Organiser position, incumbent Otiko Djaba beat her bitter rival Tina Mensah for the position.
Otiko polled 276 votes whilst Tina Mensah polled 250. Mawusi Awity came third with 113 votes.
Sammy Awuku overwhelmingly won the Youth Organiser position. He polled 471 votes beating the incumbent Emmanuel Attafuah Danso with 28 votes.
Kamal Deen Abdulai also won the National NASARA Coordinator position. For the vice chair position, Freddy Blay, Sammy Crabbe and FF Antoh were voted as the first, second and third vice chairmen of the party respectively.