New Dawn Hits Krobo Politics ---- As Dede Djaba Eyes Yilo Seat

Politics in the Yilo Krobo area in the Eastern Region is bound to shift to a higher gear, following indications that the parliamentary race in the constituency will no longer be the bona-fide 'bullfight' of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its main rival New Patriotic Party (NPP), the way it had been since 1992.

Credible information gathered by this paper's political desk says a firebrand political personality is bracing up to wade into the political terrain to grab the seat in 2012 as an independent candidate.

The paper can reliably authoritatively say that Ms. Georgette Dede Djaba, a London-based lawyer, social commentator, media consultant, politician and professional fundraiser is currently in the country to make good her political ambition.

Ami Dede, as she is popularly known in Somanya, is not only the eldest daughter of Henry K. Djaba of Neoplan fame, but the senior sister to the NPP National Women's Organiser, Otiko Afisah Djaba whose mother hails from Bole. Henry was GFA chairman during the Busia Regime. They have a lovely house in Djaba Road which was for years confiscated by the AFRC and handed over to the Ghana Police Service who left the mansion in a sorry state. In 1999, the property was returned to the family by the Confiscated Assets Committee with an apology.

Confirming this in an exclusive interview soon after she touched down in the country via a KLM airliner on Monday, the 50-year old political guru, who single-handedly took on former President Rawlings and threatened court action against him for crime against humanity during his 19-year rule (PNDC/NDC), said she does not aspire to win the seat for the sake of it, but to better the lot of the people in the constituency.

“Traditionally, the constituency used to be for the CPP when it was known as Kaoga Constituency, until the NDC took over in the last five general elections only to mess things up. It's high time someone rescued the constituency, and I am ready to take the bull by the horns”, she said.

According to her, even though she is a true-blue NPP member in London, she believes that an independent candidate of her caliber with strong message can sweep the votes in December, 2012.

She lamented that, in spite of the constituency's comparative advantage in the agricultural and tourism sectors, the area has continued to lag way behind in development, a situation she attributed to bad political leadership, and promised to change all that when elected as MP.

“Where are the jobs for the youth that the people have been promised over and over again since 1992? Is it not clear that the people are being used as election machines for selfish gains? We have to turn things around, and this is the time to do that. The people of Yilo Krobo cannot wait any longer”, she noted.

Ms Djaba promised to assist the people with Credit Unions, train them in business planning and accessing loans, and most importantly assist women in the area to form groups in order to start debating about issues and getting more involved in political matters.

Georgette Djaba attended Wesley Girls' High School, Cape-Coast and later the prestigious College of Law at Lancaster Gate, London. She then obtained a Masters Degree in Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in 1997. She has specific expertise in Immigration, Nationality and Family Law, and has worked as an Executive Assistant to Hon. Paul Boateng (now, Lord Boateng) as Member of Parliament in Westminster.

Being a member of the NPP (UK Branch for several years), Dede Djaba has been actively involved in local and national politics since 1992.

The energetic, enthusiastic and dynamic community lawyer has represented several Ghanaians at courts and Tribunals in the UK, and also presented legal affairs programmes on community radio stations. She has assisted in high profile cases including Michael Watson and popular artiste, Ahofe Daasebre Gyamena.

In 2004, she won a distinguished award for providing legal support services, including violent crime to the Ghanaian Community.

Asked why she wanted to run as independent candidate, the radiant mother of two, who is fluent in Dangme, Twi, Fante and Ga, and possesses the rare combination of beauty and brain, said she wanted to sell herself based on who she is and what she is capable of doing.

And looking at her political pedigree, social status, cultural background and vision, observers say she could be a credible threat to the two major political parties in the constituency.

Women political activism in the Yilo and Manya Krobo area is fast becoming very vibrant, more so with the recent victory of Mrs. Difie Dedo Kusi-Agyarko, as NPP candidate for Lower Manya Krobo, a sister constituency.