A scene from the delegates’ conference in Sunyani
Firebrand Brong-Ahafo Regional Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe aka Abronye DC, did not surprise political pundits at the just-ended regional delegates’ conference when he emerged the candidate with the highest votes in all the positions contested for.
He has thus, moved up to become the 1st Vice Chairman for the party in the region after defeating five other contestants.
At the end of voting – which ended deep into the night on Sunday following the boycotting of the process by the Electoral Commission (EC) – Abronye polled 407 out of the 552 valid votes cast.
His closest contender, Dr. Emmanuel Opoku Marfo, managed 94 votes while the other contestants – Patrick Peprah Appiagyei polled 28 votes, Alhaji Shaibu Banba 15 and Dabie Appiah Mensah, 13.
Injunction Brouhaha
News went round that there was a supposed court injunction filed by some constituency executives from Atebubu – Samuel Tinganti Majeed and another identified as Solomon – at the high court to restrain the Atebubu delegates from voting because they claimed the constituency elections were improperly organized.
Consequently, party executives became confused as to whether to proceed with the elections or not.
However, the EC’s absence compelled a leading member of the NPP, Lawyer Alfred Tua-Yeboah, to ask the contestants to agree by appending their signatures to accept the outcome of the results.
But the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East who doubles as majority chief whip in parliament, Kwasi Ameyaw Kyeremeh, kicked against it saying the party’s constitution does not allow that and that the election should not be held because it is only the EC that is mandated to supervise party elections.
Chairman of the regional election committee, Kwasi Adu-Gyan, said that congress is the highest decision making body of the NPP in the region and so could decide whether the process should continue or not.
Later at 3:00 pm a decision was reached to allow the process to go on, despite EC’s boycott.
The Acting Regional Chairman, Thomas Adu- Appiah alias Toma, was confirmed by the delegates narrowly with 282 votes to beat Francis Opoku Sarfo 266 while a third contender, Dr. Charles Kwame Addo, got 10 votes.
The Regional Secretary slot was won by Acting Secretary, Kofi Ofosu Boateng.
The Youth Organizer position went to Michael Osei Boateng aka Pope.
Incumbent Women’s Organiser Dorothy Ama Amponsah retained her position whilst the Organiser, Rasheed Konlaabig, contested unopposed.
Alahaji Issaka Isaah polled 405 votes to become the Treasurer while the NASARA Coordinator post went toAlhaji Adamu Mohammad. Mensah Joseph was elected Second Vice Chairman and they were all sworn in
by the suspended deputy general secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani
danielyaodayee@yahoo.com