Ashanti Regional Minister exposed over alleged attempt to 'smuggle' close relative for Asante Mampong MCE position

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, is facing backlash from National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives in Asante Mampong over allegations that he is attempting to push a relative, Esther Dwomoh for the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) position—despite her name not appearing among the officially shortlisted candidates.

According to the aggrieved NDC executives, Esther Dwomoh was not one of the three party members who applied and were shortlisted for national vetting for the Asante Mampong MCE role. They claim that the Minister, in collaboration with his elder brother, Dada Alex—who also serves as the constituency’s NDC Organizer—is attempting to circumvent due process and impose his preferred candidate.

In protest, the visibly upset party officials stormed the forecourt of the Asante Mampong District Assembly on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to present a petition to the Ashanti Regional Minister through the Municipal Coordinating Director.

Municipal Communication Officer, Kwaku Bernasco, addressed the media during the demonstration. He listed Kamal Mohammed, Yakubu Yusif, and Morro Iddrisu as the three individuals who were legitimately shortlisted for national vetting.

“These are the people who worked hard to secure the party’s victory and should, therefore, be allowed to benefit from their efforts,” Bernasco said.

He further accused the Regional Minister of fueling tribal tensions, alleging that the move to insert Esther Dwomoh into the list is aimed at sidelining Northerners in the constituency.

“I am the communication officer for NDC. I’m 100% Northerner. I have been an executive for eight good years,” he said. “What the Minister and his brother are trying to do sends a message that no matter how hard Northerners work for the party in this constituency, we will never be recognized.”

“We will never let this happen because the NDC is a congress—made up of people from all ethnic backgrounds. NDC does not belong to only Akans. It does not belong to only Northerners. Those who have worked deserve to benefit.”

Bernasco also questioned Esther Dwomoh’s credentials and experience within the party, insisting that she is a relatively new member.

“I brought her into the party. She’s a colleague teacher, and we both work at Amaniampong SHS. I even helped her to get a party card. So we don’t understand why someone who hasn’t toiled for the party should be considered for such a high position,” he said.

“If this happens, the NDC in Asante Mampong will be destroyed forever.”

Below is an extract of their petition:

THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
ACCRA
Dear Hon.,
PETITION ON MCE APPOINTMENT
We, the undersigned constituency executives wish to exercise our displeasure about the issues surrounding the MCE appointments.

We want the regional executives to explain to us why the shortlisted candidates from the region increased to five at the National vetting. We want answers to why the party has ignored hardwork and loyalty. We say so because all the three shortlisted candidates have served the party well in the constituency and must be considered.

We need vivid explanations to why a northerner cannot lead Mampong as MCE. Precedence has been set and it must not be continued. NDC is becoming a third force in Mampong because of the northerners population. The party future is been threating if these are not addressed.

We are sorting the relief that, any one of the three candidates names (Kamil Mohammed, Yakubu Issifu and Moro Iddrisu be named as the next MCE.

Thank you.