DCE For Sale

Joseph Yieleh Chireh DAILY GUIDE has learnt that President Atta Mills, in consultation with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party, has directed people wishing to become Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to purchase application forms for GH¢100.

The forms, available at the party's regional offices throughout the country, started selling on Wednesday and are scheduled to end on Sunday, February, 22.

According to DAILY GUIDE 's information, five prospective candidates would be short-listed for each metropolitan, municipal and district to attend a high-profile interview which would be conducted by the party's appointment committee.

The appointment committee, composed of members of the party's NEC, would move from region to region to join the party's regional executives to conduct interviews.

At the end of this exercise, beginning on Monday February 23, information available indicates that three short-listed applicants for each metropolitan, municipal and district would be forwarded to President Mills at the Osu Castle for the final decision.

Joseph Yamin, the party's 2008 parliamentary candidate for the Kwadaso constituency in Kumasi, is contending for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Chief Executive. He told Kessben Fm, a local radio station on Thursday that he was sure to become the next mayor of the Garden City because of his popularity and contribution to the party's success.     

Other party gurus who are eyeing this position are Yamoah Ponko, former Kumasi Asante Kotoko Director of Operations and Alhaji Mohammed Sannie, NDC Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman, according to sources.   

In a telephone interview with DAILY GUIDE from Accra, Alhaji Sannie, a favourite candidate for the mayorship, indicated that he would apply immediately he returned to Kumasi.

Even though the procedures for the search of the next KMA boss is yet to begin, a section of residents who interacted with the paper thinks Alhaji Sannie is the most suitable candidate.

They said besides the fact that he is influential in the party's electoral victory, his rich experience and commitment to duty makes him stand tall amongst the contenders for the coveted position.

“Though I'm not an NDC member, I think Alhaji Sannie deserves the position because I can confidently say that he was one of the people who worked hard for the party's victory,” Ansah Addo, a businessman at Adum indicated.

Another admirer of the seasoned politician remarked, “in the case of Alhaji Sannie, I don't think the cumbersome process of selecting the next KMA boss is necessary. I believe that once he is interested, he should be duly compensated with the position for his loyalty and commitment to the party”.

Meanwhile, information reaching DAILY GUIDE suggests that the selection of prospective candidates would be based on competence, loyalty and contribution to the party especially while it was in opposition.

As usual, the role of party power-brokers in the selection of successful candidates cannot be overemphasized as indications are that the party's top guns have already started lobbying vigorously for their loyalists.

From Morgan Owes, Kumasi