THE RACE for the regional executives’ positions of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) ended peacefully across 14 regions on Saturday with minimal hitches.
So far, the elections conducted have seen some incumbents retaining their positions while others have been replaced.
The polls began on Friday, May 27, 2022, where seven regions namely Ahafo, Bono East, Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Western North elected officers.
On Saturday, May 28, the polls continued in seven regions namely Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra, Oti, Volta, Upper West, and Western.
Ashanti
In the Ashanti Region, which is the ‘World Bank’ of the ruling party, the election was held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, emerged winner with 464 votes to retain the Ashanti Regional Chairmanship position for the next four years.
His closest rival, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as Chairman COKA, polled 306 votes.
The three other contestants, namely Asare Bediako, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, and Oheneba Adum Bawua had 20, nine, and three votes respectively.
Delay
In the early parts of the exercise, the voting was put on hold for over an hour when agents representing Odeneho Kwaku Appiah challenged the eligibility of delegates from Obuasi West.
This delayed the voting process, but the election committee chairman, Simon Osei Mensah, pleaded with the delegates to stand aside while the committee looked into their complaints.
Wontumi’s car
The vehicle driven by Bernard Antwi Boasiako caused a scare at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium when he lost control and drove into supporters.
This happened when he attempted to stand high from his car to wave at his team of supporters who were waiting at the entrance of the stadium to usher him in. The crowd had to run away to safety.
Some supporters who lost their balance and landed on the concrete floors sustained bruises.
He was reportedly left disturbed and shaken at the incident, as he saw to the injured before joining the conference.
Eastern
In the Eastern Region, the second largest support base of NPP, the elections were held at the Cultural Centre, Koforidua. Jeff Konadu Addo won the Regional Chairmanship position, polling 424 votes.
Greater Accra
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP retained his seat by beating his only contender, Alfred Boye, with a slim margin of six votes.
The election witnessed some altercations in the form of reported exchanges of blows at the Trade Fair Centre venue.
The polls which were peaceful at the initial stage were later marred after delegates from the TESCON bloc were called to cast their votes.
One of the candidates attempted to stop some of the TESCON representatives from casting their votes. The development led to a scuffle, but police and party officials managed to bring the situation under control for the exercise to continue.
Western
The Western Regional Chairmanship position went unopposed, with Francis Ndede Siah retaining his seat. However, two incumbent regional executives of the NPP were unsuccessful in their re-election bids. They include Regional Organiser, Abdul Ganiyu and Regional Women’s Organiser, Abena Kwallah.
Ahafo
Four incumbent executives retained their positions, with one losing in the region. Kwabena Owusu Sekyere retained his position as the Chairman. Amadu Mohammed also retained his position as the Nasara Coordinator, and Ruth Fosua maintained her position as the Women’s Organiser. Eugene Kusi Boakye also retained his position as Treasurer.
However, Gausu Mohammed Baba lost his position as the Secretary to Eric Nana Antwi.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr. & Daniel Bampoe