NPP Boss Warns NDC

Kofi Poku Manu

THE NEWLY-elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Fredrick Freduah Antoh, has given an indication of his commitment to duty as he called on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be wary of how they conduct their business in the region now that he has been elected to lead the party.

The celebrated oil dealer and owner of a chain of hostels in the Garden City entreated the Ashanti Regional Minister, Kofi Poku Manu, to be cautious about his public outbursts.

Explaining why he has cautioned the NDC, and the Regional Minister in particular, to be precautious of their conduct in the region, Mr. Antoh stressed, “My administration will not look on unconcerned for members of our party to be intimidated by our opponents”.

It would be recalled that the Regional Minister, at a recent NDC event at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, incited members of the ruling party to beat any NPP supporter who passes any unsavoury comments about the party.

According to him, the touted acts of violence were the surest means to put the fear of God into NPP supporters who have made it their grand agenda to consistently criticize the NDC so as to come back to power in the 2012 elections.

After categorically denying ever making such nation-wrecking remarks, the advanced-in-age Regional Minister rendered an unqualified apology to the nation after the comments were played on air.

Mr. Antoh emphasized that though he stands for peace and political tolerance, he would not hesitate to lead a crusade to match any nation wrecker boot for boot for the sake of the nation's pride.

The newly-elected Chairman, who has carved a niche for himself as a hard taskmaster, made these comments at the Cultural Centre in Kumasi on Monday when he mounted the podium to deliver his acceptance speech after being elected the next Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman.

Staging a comeback for the regional chairmanship position, Mr. Antoh floored his only contender and incumbent Regional Chairman, Robert Yaw Owusu Amankwaah by polling 421 votes as against the 267 garnered by Mr. Amankwaah.

Seven hundred and twenty four delegates drawn from the 39 constituencies in the region, including constituency and regional executives, MPs and others converged at the Cultural Centre for the much-awaited congress.

Without duress, the delegates exercised their franchise at the extremely peaceful congress to elect nine persons from the list of 24 candidates who filed their nominations to constitute the Ashanti regional executive of the party.

Continuing his passionate speech, Mr. Antoh, who was the Ashanti regional chairman of the party from 2000 to 2005, announced that the party's campaign for re-election in 2012 has began in earnest.

He therefore directed that all party offices in the region be open for serious business henceforth, charging that all sanctioned meetings and party activities be put in full swing.

Stressing that unity of purpose and all-inclusiveness is a vital ingredient the party needs to be victorious in the upcoming polls, the chemical engineer spoke ill about the perceived factionalism in the party.

Indicating that the development was a huge disincentive to the party's electoral success, Mr. Antoh pledged to fight the canker with all his might to ensure that members of the party entrust their loyalty to the entire elephant family, rather than individuals.

In view of this solemn agenda, the eloquent Regional Chairman declared with seriousness that he would not tolerate the practice where officers of the party from national, regional to constituency level, lead prospective flag bearers on campaign trails in the region.

He stressed that he would not waver to crack the whip on any officer of the party who is seen leading a potential flag bearer of the party on a campaign trail.

Pointing out that he is optimistic his successful comeback was ordained by God, Mr. Antoh noted that he has absolute confidence in God, and that He will guide him to be successful in his endeavours.

Thanking the delegates for their confidence in him, the poignant Regional Chairman promised to tap the experience and contribution of his predecessor when the need arises, to ensure that the party grows from strength to strength.

In his solidarity message, the defeated Regional Chairman declared his readiness to make his expertise available to his successor in the supreme interest of the party.

Mr. Amankwaah stressed that the win was not a victory for his successor, but a triumph for the party as a whole, indicating that his commitment and loyalty to the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition is still unbroken.

He enjoined his supporters not to nurse any ill-feelings about his loss, but rather rally behind the newly-elected chairman and his executives to ensure that the party's ultimate aim of coming back to power in 2012 is realized.

From Morgan Owusu & I.F Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi