By Our Reporter
The outcome from the just-ended National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Delegates Congress has widened the tribal sentiments within the party as the Akans have now taken over the frontline leadership of the party.
Majority of supporters and past leaders are however unhappy about the development, fearing that the party could lose its grip in the Volta region as result the new crop of leaders steering the affairs of the party.
At the end of the keenly contested elections at congress, the incumbent General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia wallowed his main contender, Koku Anyidoho who is a Voltarian.
Fred Agbenyo also a Voltarian lost the election to Sammy Gyamfi an Akan to become the party’s Communications Officer.
It was also declared that, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo took over as the NDC’s National Chairman, beating the others in the race for that position.
Speaking to some delegates, they expressed disappointment in the election results and faulted other delegates for not giving candidates from the Volta Region the chance to be in some of the frontline positions in the party.
It is becoming evident that the NDC’s hold on the Volta Region as the powerhouse of the party is now broken with the party standing the chance to lose that grip on the region.
Although some people are of the view that the results from the election is indicative of the fact that those elected were the capable hands to handle the various portfolios, others believe that regional balance as far as winning national elections are concerned, is key and that having all Akans in all frontline positions in the party is “a wrong move.”
Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has been elected as the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress according to provisional results.
That for the position of the National Organiser position was still being countered as at the time of going to press yesterday, with Baba Jamal them leading.
Background
The National Democratic Congress is electing executives who will lead the party in its quest to unseat the governing New Patriotic Party in the 2020 general elections.
The importance of this Delegates’ congress cannot be overemphasized as the party hopes the new crop of executives will lead the team to oust the incumbent party.
Chairman of the Planning Committee Alex Segbefia confidently asserted that by the time the new executives are ready to go through another delegates elections, the NDC will be the government in power.
About 15,000 people, made up of 9,350 delegates and 5,650 observers, are expected to throng the premise to decide the fate of the 65 candidates vying for various positions.
So far, the race for the National Chairman and the General Secretary seem to be the one generate most interest among the citizenry.
Perhaps the most revered and favourite politician of Ghanaians, Johnson Asiedu Nketia for the first time in a long time faced stiff opposition from his second in command, Koku Anyidoho who has vowed to unseat his boss as the General Secretary in this keen contest.
For the position of the National Chairman, five stalwarts of the party are vying. They are a former Trade and Industry Minister and former NDC MP for Keta, Mr Dan Abodakpi; the party’s former Director of Elections, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; a former Attorney General and current Vice-Chairperson, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu; a businessman, Mr Daniel Anang, and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya.
The incumbent, Kofi Portuphy however decided to sit this one out by not seeking re-election.
Rawlings Comments:
Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings, urged leaders of the party to cultivate the habit of taking their own advice about unity.
Addressing delegates at the Fantasy Dome at the International Trade Fair Centre in Accra, Saturday, where the party is holding its Delegates Congress, he said he was impressed by the speeches delivered by previous speakers.
“The speakers ahead of me have shared some interesting thoughts with us. So I will keep mine as short as possible because you have a long day ahead and it’s going to be a very long, busy day,” the former president said at the event grounds.
One of such speakers was former President John Mahama, who among other things urged party members to unite for victory against the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2020 — in line with the theme of the Congress: “Together we win 2020.”
When Mr Rawlings took his turn to deliver his message to the gathering, he first thanked God for ensuring the safety of party members at the event grounds.
Then he went on to acknowledge the dynamism of the party members in the auditorium noting it “is very infectious and I hope you will be able to maintain the energy level right through into the night.”
“I can imagine how we would wish for the spirit of the old days. Is it possible to bring it back? I hope so. But that can only happen if we cultivate the habit of listening to ourselves.
“We’ve heard ourselves through the speaker, we have heard about what we have to say. But I want to make an appeal that we listen to ourselves,” he said.
About 9,000 delegates of the largest opposition party are in Accra to elect new leaders to steer the party for the next four years and possibly deliver victory in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary polls.
