Makafui Woanyah
The Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Makafui Woanyah has served notice that he is ready and willing do everything in his power to ensure the party thrives in the Volta Region, which is a strong hold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, the NPP since 1992 has had a long and painful struggle to be able to make inroads. That notwithstanding, the commitment and selfless sacrifice by their forbears and pioneers living and dead has brought the party in the region where it is today.
He and his executives are therefore poised to push the frontiers of the NPP in the Volta Region further to attract the next generation of Voltarians.
Mr. Woanyah who is popularly referred to as Major Maintain made the commitment after the ground breaking to begin the construction of the Ghc1.2 million ultra-modern regional office of the party in Ho.
He recounted how tortuous it was for the party at the time to secure an office and facilitate the registration of the party as a national one. “At the time (1992) getting an office was difficult as it was met with stiff opposition, humiliation and outright rejection throughout the region including the now Oti region,” he narrated.
He commended the fortitude of the late Tommy Amematekpor and magnanimity of Glalah family of Ho for the current office of the party which was secured in 1992. He thanked Ken Nuworsu for the inroads during his tenure and also thanked his predecessor, John-Peter Amewu for renovating, expanding and equipping the current regional office.
Securing the office was not enough to make the NPP thrive at the time. It was an unattractive party in the Volta and now Oti region. It was almost like an abomination to be associated with the NPP. People were ejected from their homes, some lost jobs, some lost family affiliations and others were even banished from their communities for supporting or associating with the NPP.
He added that NPP party paraphernalia was literally rejected even when it was being shared for free. The hooting and taunting of known members was a normal occurrence. Then there was the era where party members had to pretend to be NDC to be accepted. So we had people attending rallies and meetings in party colours, but changed immediately when they left the premises.
“Yet today, our numbers have grown, we have branches throughout the Volta region and have made a lot of impact and given the people opportunities they might not have gotten under the NDC,” he intimated.
Despite the progress made so far, there are still more battles to be fought, wars to be won and more grounds to be gained. “It is not going to be by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord of Host,” he quoted. The historic building of the regional office is testament to this power the Lord is granting the NPP in the region.
Chairman Woanyah who is the 10th Volta Regional Chairman said he is aware of the scheming against the efforts of the party by opposition and internal collaborators. Nonetheless “We are determined to achieve our goal through any legitimate means and will not countenance any opposition or pander to their whims and caprices.”
The National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as Nana-B also commended the progress of the NPP in the region saying “Volta gave us one of the best performances in the 2020 elections.”
He said the party’s votes in the region doubled in the 2020 election from about 66000 votes in 2016. Endorsing the hard work of the Regional Chairman and his executives, Nana-B said thanks to “Chairman Say and Do,” the party is vibrant and the visibility is everywhere. “I know he will also complete this Office project,” he added.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)