Solomon Reuben Jabari with some of the newly elected constituency executives
Solomon Reuben Jabari has defeated incumbent Simon Alonga by a wide margin to become the new Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), polling 1,319 votes against his rival’s 263 in Saturday’s constituency executive elections at Twedie Technical Institute in the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Jabari, after his emphatic victory on October 24, warned the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prepare for a tough contest in the constituency in the 2028 general election, citing the youthful composition of the new executive team as a major strength.
He also used the opportunity to apologise to the Electoral Commission (EC) over his earlier allegation that its officials were working for their “paymasters” during the electoral process.
Speaking to the media after the elections, the chairman-elect commended the EC officials and the Ghana Police Service for their professionalism in ensuring a peaceful and orderly exercise despite some misunderstandings at the voting centre.
“I commend the police and the EC for their professionalism because everything was done in the right direction. This was an election, and there wouldn’t be everything that you might get perfect, but I admit that the police and the EC did what was expected of them,” he said.
Mr. Jabari explained that his earlier accusations were made in the heat of the contest, adding that he was prepared to learn from his mistakes.
He also praised the police commander for the efforts made to maintain peace and order throughout the exercise.
Unity Agenda
The chairman-elect has pledged to unite the various factions within the constituency and bring all defeated aspirants on board to strengthen the party ahead of the 2028 general election.
He maintained that the internal contest should not be seen as a battle between winners and losers, insisting that all aspirants belonged to the same political family.
Mr. Jabari disclosed that he would engage the party’s elders, imams and pastors in communities across the constituency to help reconcile members and promote lasting unity.
He expressed confidence that the new executive team would work collectively to strengthen the NDC’s grassroots support and improve its performance in the constituency.
NPP Warning
Mr. Jabari warned the NPP not to underestimate the NDC in Atwima Kwanwoma ahead of the 2028 general election, insisting that the new executives were prepared to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
He said the youthful composition of the team would bring renewed energy to the party’s campaign efforts and help increase its electoral margins.
“To have a solid team like this in Atwima Kwanwoma, trust me, the NPP will not have it easy. We are all young, and when we go down to campaign, the youth in the constituency are going to support us,” he declared.
Drawing on his military background, Mr. Jabari said he was ready to work with the constituency secretary, communications officer and other executives to strengthen the party’s structures and prepare for the next general elections.
He, however, acknowledged that addressing the development challenges confronting the constituency would be crucial to the party’s electoral ambitions.
He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to fix what he estimated to be 40 per cent of the roads in the constituency, arguing that addressing the road challenges would help the NDC’s efforts to secure the parliamentary seat in 2028.
Other Winners
In the other contests, Lawrence Obiri Yeboah won the vice-chairmanship position with 1,081 votes.
Lukman Mumuni retained the constituency secretary position, while his closest rival, Kingston Opoku Bediako, polled 523 votes.
Appiah Augustine won the deputy secretary position with 1,176 votes, while Appiah Isaac secured the deputy organiser position with 916 votes.
Daniel Basepwah won the treasurer position with 974 votes, while Desmond Aziwini secured the deputy treasurer position with 1,276 votes.
Frank Kwame Agyekum was elected constituency communications officer with 1,100 votes, while Blessing Nti Fordjour won the deputy communications officer position with 1,030 votes.
Osman Mohamed won the Zongo caucus position with 961 votes.
Isaac Painstil and Rosemary Adjei secured the youth organiser and deputy youth organiser positions with 97 and 67 votes respectively.
Barikisu Musah won the women’s organiser position with 144 votes, while Ellen Owusu secured the deputy women’s organiser position with 107 votes.
Ledzi Ekpen won the other youth organiser position with 97 votes.
The eight additional constituency executive positions went to Rita Prempeh, Asamoah Emmanuel, Matthew Mensah, Osei Bonsu, Adwoa Konadu, Monica Tosu, Edawanim Justice Osei and Matilda Kandibiga, who were elected from a field of 19 aspirants.
Mr. Jabari expressed gratitude to party members who participated in the elections and pledged to work with all stakeholders to build a united constituency executive team focused on the party’s future.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi