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16.02.2009 NDC

ASHANTI NDC IN DISARRY...as party activists scramble for jobs in Mills' gov't

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ASHANTI NDC IN DISARRY...as party activists scramble for jobs in Mills' gov't
16.02.2009 LISTEN

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC Congress (NDC) sources in Kumasi are complaining of moves to sideline party activists for consideration for the post of Deputy Regional Minister.

The complainants (names withheld) have accused what has become known as the Ashanti caucus of the government, which has been charged with the responsibility of short listing and screening candidates for the post, of spearheading the marginalization of old guards in the party, in order to consider favourites and what they called “political intruders” for appointments to positions of trust, at the expense of known and potential persons.

The said Ashanti caucus, made up of Nana Ohene Agyekum, Mr. Yaw Boamah, Dr. Oteng Agyei, Mr. Frank Osei Mensah, Mr. P. V. Obeng and Mr. Kwame Peprah, are said to be comfortable with the appointment of one Mrs. Theresa Baffoe, a former Member of Parliament for New Edubiase in Ashanti as the deputy Ashanti Regional Minister.

Party insiders are not happy with the trend of appointments and think potentials like Alhaji Sanni Mohammed and Mr. Samuel Sarpong, among others, who had sacrificed a lot for he party while in opposition, should have been considered for positions of some sort, but were denied.

The disquiet follows a promise by then candidate Prof. Atta Mills to consider the cadres for appointments in his government.

Most cadres who feel disappointed in the President over the selection and appointment of District Chief Executives, say they would advise themselves should President Mills renege on his promise to consider them for appointment.

Following the discontent among party members, The Chronicle has gathered that the selection and short listing of candidates for the position of DCEs in Ashanti has allegedly been indefinitely put on hold.

It has also been gathered that when the exercise resumes, failed NDC Parliamentary candidates, as a policy directive, might have the edge for the post of DCEs across the country.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tei Larbi, a lecturer of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and NDC failed parliamentary candidate for Oforikrom constituency in the 2008 elections, is highly tipped to be nominated for the post of Metropolitan Chief Executive for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) by the President.

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