The opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Functional Executives Committee (FEC) has stepped in to resolve any ambiguity regarding the location of Saturday’s regional poll.
In opposition to the FEC’s choice of Koforidua Technical University, the Eastern Regional Chairman John Owusu Amankrah alias Jowak insists that the poll take place in Anakarzo Center in Akuapem North Municipality.
Speaking to journalists in Koforidua, Johnson Asiedu, the general secretary of the NDC, explained that because of miscommunication among regional executives, the functional executives of the party formed a taskforce to oversee the election and as a result, selected Koforidua Technical University as the location.
When there is a misunderstanding among the party executives, the party’s constitution gives the General Secretary the authority to determine the party’s location and date. However, in most cases, the Regional Chairman will choose the location after consulting with the Regional executives.
“Since member registration, the party has noticed confusion among the Eastern region’s executives. As a result, we sent personnel from the National to oversee the procedure as well as the branch election. Due to the misunderstanding, we established a taskforce to oversee the constituency elections. It has therefore come to the point where the party must implement constitutional provisions. So, in order to establish a taskforce to oversee the election, I spoke with the Functional Executives. Hon. Tom Budu, a former DCE for Akyemansa, is the taskforce’s chairman, according to Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
“So I told the candidates to cooperate with the taskforce in charge of the election. Therefore, Koforidua Technical University has been chosen as the location by the taskforce. Therefore, it is advised that all delegates take note and visit Koforidua Technical University. If you attend another location, your absence will be noted.
Over 1024 delegates are anticipated to cast their votes in the regional election, which has about 40 candidates.
Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, a former regional secretary and aspirant to the House of Representatives, former regional chairman Bismark Tawiah Boateng, Basil Ahiable, Mr. William Atamudzi, the current regional vice chairman, and incumbent chairman John Owusu Amankrah [Jowak] are all fierce competitors for the position.
According to Bismark Tawiah Boateng, the current party leader JOWAK violated the party rules by choosing a second location for the regional election, which caused uncertainty.
He urged all delegates to disregard the regional chairman and respect the functional executive committee’s instructions on KTU as the election site.
Prior to the main Regional conference, the Regional Youth and Women’s organizer elections were held at Nsawam.
Emmanuel Okai Minta, the current regional youth organizer, was beaten by Richard Etornam Nyarko, the deputy regional youth organizer.
Compared to Okai Minta’s 52 votes, Richard Nyarko received 55 votes.
Evans Srenyame received 17 votes when the regional youth organizer was also present. Tetteh Nathaniel received 23 votes, followed by Fohad Abgenyadzi with 51 and Eric Kwasi Agyapong with 14.
Shirley Naana Ampem Osei, a female election organizer, kept her seat with 39 votes as opposed to 34 votes. Adam Korang
Rita Awatey Akosua received 23 votes, while Linda Ahenkora received -20 votes in the campaign for deputy Women’s organizer.
Sahadatu Ibrahim received 1 vote, while Faustina Effah Boadi received 28 votes.