DFP captures NDC big wigs

Leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been denying a claim by the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) that it had been capturing their members in the country therefore making the NDC to crumble.

However, painstaking investigations conducted in the Eastern Region confirms that the Dr. Obed Asamoah-led DFP, had really captured most of the NDC bigwigs in the Krobo land and are in the process of capturing more and turn the Krobo area, an NDC no-go area, into theirs.

When The Chronicle visited the Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo Constituencies, it observed that the DFP has not just captured some NDC members but it has rather ploughed the area without mercy to the NDC or NPP that had seen 500 members of the NDC crossing carpet to the camp of the DFP.

What has made some politicians as well as opinion leaders in the areas shivering was the total capture of Joseph Narh Kwablah (a.k.a No Problem), former Lower Manya NDC Constituency Chairman.

Some NDC activists, who learnt for the first time from this reporter that Nene Dongoyo Osabutey (a.k.a Small Politics, a former District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo during the NDC regime exclaimed with shock: “What do you say!”

As the NDC leaders continued to deny the defections of its members to the DFP all over, especially at Krobo land, which is already a no-go area for the NPP, some of its party members said “it is true the DFP is on the ground working seriously and our colleagues are moving in their numbers day in and day out to DFP” Rudonf Tetteh Baah (a.k.a doctor) in Manya Kponguno West and NDC activist confirmed that NDC followers in the area had defected to DFP and have been meeting with its constituency representatives occasionally.

Though he could not give the actual number of members who had crossed over to DFP, said with the introduction of the party in the area, majority of youth were watching which political party would be in their favour to enable them throw their weight behind them.

When contacted, Joseph Narh Kwablah confirmed his defection to DFP saying he is now serving it as its founding member in the Lower Manya constituency. “Yes it is true that I have defected with more than 16 other strong members of the NDC in the area to DFP and have registered as well,” he said.

Mr. No Problem, stating his reasons for defecting, mentioned dictatorship on the side of the MP Mr. Michael Nyaunu, which has created a lot of bitter rivalry among NDC members in the constituency.

The national elders of the NDC attempted to resolve the matter but the MP did not cooperate with the Elders Council, leaving the matter to divide the front of the NDC now.

What broke the camel's back was a letter the MP issued suspending 16 NDC activists, including Mr. No Problem who was a foot soldier from PNDC/NDC era till their defection.

Joseph Narh Kwablah denied that they were just going to spend Dr. Obed Asamoah money and ran back to their mother party “, saying, Dr. Obed Asamoah met us and we realized the good vision he has for us towards the total development for the Kroboland not because of his money that made us to defect to the DFP” He asked other members still with the NDC to study the DFP and NDC so that they can make informed decisions like they have done.

The NPP Chairman for Lower Manya Constituency Henry Dema Narh was not much aware of the DFP activities but was optimistic that none of his party supporters had crossed carpet since DFP entered the area.

It was learnt that Barimah Osafo Kantanka, who was once the Regional Coordinator of the NDC Veranda Boys and Girls Clubs is representing Eastern Region on the national executive committee of DFP and at the same time as a founding member of New Juabeng.

Other names of founding members in other constituencies include Kwabena Akyempong for Birim North, former NDC's Secretary for Atiwa, Mr. Samuel Agyapong and Mr. Philip Tetteh Otchere for Akuapem North.

DFP has captured the former National Vice Chairman of NDC for Kwahu South/Mpraeso, Kwaku Baah for Akuapem South has the former NPP activist, and Koranteng Kwame Israel with another former NPP adherent, Pimpong Korang for Suhum Kraboa Coaltar, whiles Gideon Dorwu for West Akim.

DFP also has a former CPP member in Birim South, Attah Yeboah as its founding member. For Fanteakwa, it has Alex I.C Kwakye a former NDC Propaganda Secretary, Kwahu East has Kwaku Amoah Safo whiles Siaw Emmanuel Augustine, a former NDC member is the DFP founding member for Afram plains.

Kwaebibrem has Baffour Kyei Antwi, who was formerly with NPP whiles John Kwadwo Kuma, a former NDC activist is for East Akyem with Asuogyaman having a former Vice Chairman of NDC representing it.