Sekyedumase NDC youth bare their teeth…Over short listed DCEs

THE YOUTH of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Sekyedumase in the Ejura/Sekyedumase constituency have bared their teeth over acts of discrimination on the part of the Appointment Committee of the party in the selection of persons for consideration as DCEs.

Mr. Kwaku Frimpong, a youth leader and spokesman of the aggrieved youth, addressing journalists in Kumasi on Friday complained that the party had breached what he described as a “gentleman's agreement” in the appointment of DCEs.

According to him, it has become a norm that all appointments in the area are evenly spread across the entire constituency, and that if an MP emerges from one area of the constituency, the DCE should be appointed from the other area.

They however said of the ten aspiring DCEs (five each from Sekyedumase and Ejura) submitted for vetting, only three, in the persons of Mr. Enin Pambuor, Martha Broknah from Kobrite and Rafui Adams, a personal secretary to the MP, Alhaji Pangabu Mohammed, were short listed for consideration.

The selected persons all happen to come from Ejura, an indication that aspirants from Sekyedumase have been rejected in the face of the enormous contributions made towards the success of the party in the constituency.

The youth complained that except for the Constituency Secretary, Mr. James Yaw Wiredu, who has currently traveled outside the country, the Constituency Chairman, Treasurer, Youth Organizer, Financial Secretary and Member of Parliament are all from Ejura.

As a result, the youth have petitioned the regional Secretariat of the NDC to take steps to nip the unhealthy development in the bud. According to them, if it is not corrected, it would pave the way for the defeat of the NDC and the loss of the parliamentary seat to the NPP in the 2012 elections.

Spokes person for the aggrieved youth of the area, Mr. Kwaku Frimpong, said they would not hesitate to advise themselves at the next elections if the party leadership does not take steps to address their concerns. They have even threatened to join the New Patriotic party (NPP) and campaign against the NDC.

The complainants are angered by the fact that the local NPP supporters have started mocking at them, and accusing them of toiling for their Ejura colleagues to enjoy the fruits of their labour, and this has killed their drive to embark on any meaningful campaign for the NDC in the future.

The petitioners have also called on the party leadership to investigate their complaints and to appoint a true party man acceptable by all to achieve electoral victory for the party in future. Mr. Frimpong was accompanied by Esther Abandagu, Kwadwo Wiredu and Francis Amissah, all youth members.