Derek Kwaku Nkasah Elected New NPP-UK Branch Chairman

The NPP-UK Branch last Sunday, 29th April, 2018 went to the polls to elect leaders to steer the affairs of the Branch for the next four years. With the exception of the 2nd Vice Chairman, Nasara, and Treasurer, who went unopposed, the rest of the positions were highly contested. The election took place in six polling stations - Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, and Reading Chapters with over 260 voters.

Three key personalities, Mr. Eric Agyemang (a former Treasurer), Nana Gyebi (a Patron and former Communication Director), and Derek Kwaku Nkansah (the incumbent Branch Organiser) vied for the Chairmanship position which was previously occupied by Mr. Michael Ansah. At the end of the polls, Mr. Derek Kwaku Nkansah (Paa Nii) was given the nod. With the exception of London, where Mr. Eric Agyemang won by 46-42 votes, Kwaku won massively in the rest of the Chapters with 160 votes as against Eric's 67 and Nana Gyebi's 36 votes. This is a clear indication of the Branch's resolve to give a paradigm shift of the Branch in the next four years.

The 1st Vice Chairmanship position was a straight contest between Madam Jennifer Boadi-Amponim (a former Women's Organiser) and Mr. Jojo Blankson (the then Chairman of Reading Chapter). Jojo beat Jennifer by 139 to 122 votes.

Three contestants were in for the Secretaryship position. Dr. Da Costa Aboagye emerged victorious with 135 votes as against Peter Antwi's 76 and Roy Antwi's 56 votes respectively.

The Organisership position was hotly contested by Felix Hamilton and Richmond Kwame Boateng. In the end, Richmond floored Felix by 194 to 67 votes.

Then came the position of Women's Organiser. Mrs Matilda Owusu Afriyie, who was handed the position due to the relocation of both Veronica Heming and Paulina Koranteng to Ghana was tipped to retain the position as against her deputy, Ms Shirley Kyei. However, Shirley pulled a surprise by flooring her former boss with 168 votes as against 94.

Again, the Youth Organisership was a very tough one between the incumbent, Aisha Nimo-Boateng and the former military officer, Richard Adu Gyamfi. In the end, Richard was rewarded with 138 votes as against Aisha's 121.

Generally, the election was peaceful and orderly and the Branch Electoral Commission led by Noble. The losers accepted defeat in good faith and the winners were magnanimous in their celebrations.

In his acceptance speech, Kwaku promised to carry on with the good works his predecessors did and to work harder to justify the trust reposed in him. He expressed his gratitude to the Patrons, old executives, his campaign team, the electorate, the BEC, and the NPP-UK fraternity for the massive victory. "It is a collective victory for the NPP and I pledge to work with every member of the Branch (all-inclusive administration) to retain NPP in power in 2020", Kwaku stated. He reiterated his commitment to pursue policies geared toward the successful implementation of ROPAL and dual citizenship, promote the members' welfare and mobilize all resources to support the mother Party in Ghana.

It is hoped that, the entire NPP-UK Branch will support the new administration to succeed.