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25.02.2009 NDC

NDC Suspends Vetting Of DCEs

By Daily Guide
NDC Suspends Vetting Of DCEs
25.02.2009 LISTEN

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah THE RULING National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday suspended the vetting of applicants vying to become Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Ashanti region.

The suspension followed a heated protest staged in Kumasi by NDC supporters against some persons who are being considered for the M/DCE positions in the region.

The aggrieved party supporters, who said they were particularly dissatisfied about names being considered for the KMA chief executive position, categorically stated that they want a non-Ashanti to be chosen for the hot job.

Similarly, the embittered NDC supporters added that they want the president to choose a non-Ashanti for the Deputy regional Minister portfolio.

The disillusioned NDC members who stormed the premises of the regional coordinating council, venue of the vetting, indicated that once the regional minister is an Ashanti, the other positions should go to the other tribes.

Before press time yesterday, the 13-member vetting committee led by Alhaji Mahama Iddrissu, former defense minister in ex-president Rawlings' regime, was locked up in a meeting to attempt to address the concerns of the protesters.

One of the protesters told DAILY GUIDE that he and his colleagues decided to protest publicly because the committee failed to address a petition they sent to them concerning the matter.

“Instead of addressing the concerns we raised, they told us to wait and that our grievances would be addressed after the vetting,” the protester indicated.

Reports reaching the paper pointed out that the protesters were prompted to take their action because their idols that they were rooting for the KMA job were being sidelined for some persons they did not know.

Ten people including the Ashanti regional first vice chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Saanie are vying for the Kumasi mayorship position.

Meanwhile, DAILY GUIDE has learnt that the party has ordered the refund of the GH¢100 prospective candidates for the positions paid for the application forms.

The Deputy General Secretary of the party, who is now Deputy Local Government minister designate, Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, is quoted to have indicated that the sale of the application forms was illegal and unacceptable

From Morgan Owusu, Kumasi

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