John Boadu
The National Appeal Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cleared 35 out of the 36 aspirants who were vetted to contest for various positions in the upcoming regional elections in the Volta Region.
Emmanuel Quarshie Kyenkyenhene who was vying for the position Youth Organiser was disqualified by the Appeals Committee on the basis of being more than 40 years, the age limit for the positon.
The Appeals Committee became the final resort for deciding who contests in the Volta Region after the Volta Regional Elections Committee was split on who qualified for the contest which is slated for Saturday, May 28, 2022. A situation that was heightening tension in the region.
Split Decision
Prior to the intervention of the Appeals Committee, two separate vetting reports were released by the regional election committee. One signed by the Secretary of the Committee, Richard Ahiagba, and the other by the Committee Chairman, Kudjoh Attah.
The Secretary’s report disqualified Markson Korku Seayor, a Youth Organiser hopeful. However, the report issued by the Committee Chairman disqualified seven aspirants; Albert Kweku Bediako (First Vice Aspirant), Josephine Selassie Aku-Sika Boateng (Treasurer Aspirant), Prince Shelter Adjorlolo, Christo Wisdom Klutse, and Kofi Agrah (Organiser aspirants), Markson Korku Seayor (Youth Organiser aspirant) and Zain-UL-Abideen Suleman (NASARA Coordinator Aspirant).
Membership Concerns
According to Paragraph 12 of the Regional Elections Regulation of the NPP, “All prospective aspirants shall be registered voters and members of the party in the region in which they seek to contest.” Daily Guide’s investigation suggests that Albert Bediako, Zain Suleman, Josephine Aku-Sika and Kofi Agra were disqualified by the regional committee for not having their membership in the region at the time of contesting for the elections.
However, the National Appeals Committee seem to have a different view. A situation which has left many party members dissatisfied in the region.
Some have wondered why aspirants who chose to transferee their membership elsewhere will still be allowed to contest in the regional elections. To them, it is unfair.
The Chairman of the Regional Elections Committee, Kudoh Attah in confirming the outcome from the Appeals Committee noted that his committee will comply with the report and urged all party members in the region to do same to ensure a smooth elections come Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Regional Elections Moves to Ho
He also confirmed that the Appeals Committee found that that it would be prudent to hold the regional elections in Ho, instead of Dzelukope in the Keta Constituency as suggested by his report.
The venue had also been in contention considering that the report issued by the Secretary of the Regional Elections Committee, Richard Ahiagba had suggested Ho, contrary to Dzelukope as indicated by the report issued by Kudjoh Attah, the Chairman of the Committee.
Mr. Kudjoh Attah explained that majority of the members of the Regional Elections Committee (seven of them) had opted for Dzelukope to whip up support for the party in the Southern part of the region. However the Appeals Committee moved the regional elections to Ho instead; based on some security concerns.
He assured all and sundry that the directives by the Dan Botwe led Appeals Committee will be complied with accordingly and urged all aspirants to go about their campaign in compliance with the rules and regulations stipulated by the party.
The Contestants
The Chairman Position is being contested by incumbent, Makafui Kofi Woanya, Pastor Johnson Kwame Avuletey and Joseph Homenya (incumbent Secretary). For First Vice, the aspirants are Ken Ayim, Rev. Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce, Abdallah Mohmmed Sadiq and Albert Kweku Bediako.
Second Vice aspirants include Fiapui Ronald Kodzo Kay Kay, Kwadekpo Richard Mawufemor, Alan Kwesi Doegah and Steve Dela Klu
The Secretary Positon is being eyed by Pope Yaw Yevoo (Incumbent Communications Officer), Dr Prince Sodoke Amuzu (former DCE for Akatsi North), Amegbletor Enoch Kwabla (Aid of the Regional Minister) and Kwasi Apea Fenteng. For Assistant Secretary, we have Samuel Attachie Anku, Dunyo Patrick Etsey, George Senyo Kojo Dogbey and David Akapabli
Aspirants for Treasurer are Wisdom Gakpo and Josephine Selasie Aku-Sika Ohene-Boateng. The incumbent Organizer, Korsi Bodja is being contested by Christo Wisdom Klutse, Kofi Agrah and Prince Shelter Adjorlolo. Incumbent Women Organiser, Afi Agyagbo Rejoice face competition from Mabel Amegbletor and Hannah Ashade.
Israel Godsway Mekpa, Destiny Prince Tettey and Seayor Markson are vying for the Youth Organiser Position. While the Nasara Coordinator slot is being sought by Mudashinu Adebayor, Abdulai Kamila, Zain-UL-Abideen Ballah Sulleyman and Suala Abdduali.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com