NDC ‘team’ for congress: Asiedu Nketsia to go unopposed

The election of Mr. Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong and the other executives of the opposition New patriotic Party at its conference in Tamale last week appeared not to have only ruffle the feathers of heavyweights in ruling National Democratic Congress, but has also forced stalwarts to shop for formidable party men and women to combat any possible threat the new NPP executives will pose.

The ruling party is said to have started rolling out ‘heavy artillery’ of party top guns known for their vast knowledge and experience in politics to ‘kill’ the ‘the Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong, John Boadu and Sammy Awuku” effect in what threatens to be the NDC’s toughest battle ahead of the 2016 elections.

Even before the ruling party concludes the nationwide biometric registration of its members to begin electing polling station executives, The aL-hAJJ has gathered that gladiators in the party have begun holding underground meetings to present a common slate at the party’s national delegate congress to elect national officers.

While many party folks have already started jostling for positions especially at the national level, the outcome of the NPP’s Tamale conference have forced some like-minded power brokers in the party and some grass root activists to form alliance to bring on board some notable party big shots unto the fray to contest for national executive positions when nomination opens later this year or early next year.

Party insiders told The aL-hAJJ that as the NDC prepares for its congress, strategists of party stakeholders are in series of informal consultations, to obtain consensus in the selection of candidates to present a joint slate for the various positions at congress.

Sources close to the anonymous party stakeholders say two senior party gurus, both from the Volta region have been penciled to be fielded for the position of National Chairman among them include incumbent Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei and immediate past Ghana Ambassador to Malaysia and former Trade Minister under President Rawlings, Mr Daniel Abodakpi.

Though the National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, Mr Kofi Portuphy’s name was said to be high on the card for National Chairman and indeed, it is said he was the first choice of the party capos, that decision has since been reviewed following new information they say that came up at one of their meetings, our source revealed.

Short of a replacement for Mr. Portuphy, while the proponents of the “slate for congress” idea are said to be still considering between Dr Adjei and Abodakpi, the source say they still have left the doors opened possibly for a more formidable and resourceful party guru. So far the names of NDC Vice chair, Hudu Yahaya and former Minister of Local Government, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has been mentioned.

The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr Stephen Opuni from the Ashanti region; Executive Director of Ghana Free Zones Board, Mr Kwadwo Twum Boafo representing the Eastern region; current National Organizer of NDC, Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan of the Brong Ahafo region, Ambassador Lee Ocran of the Western region and Northern Regional Chairman of the party, Chief Sofo Azorka among others have been lined up to take up the vice chairman positions.

Mr John Asiedu Nketsia, the party’s hard working and current General Secretary who also hails from the Brong Ahafo region is being reported given the go ahead to contest without any opposition to his candidature, but his two deputies, Mr Kofi Adams and George Lawson are not that lucky as they are said not to be on the card.

Mr. Kofi Adams and George Lawson should they decide to contest, are expected to face stiff challenge from the late President John Mills’ Spokesperson, Mr Koku Anyidoho and one Timothy Awuntirim from the Upper East region.

The former Chairman of the UK and Ireland Chapter of the ruling party, Mr Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah, Greater representative is to take over from Yaw Boateng Gyan as National Organizer while Mr Solomon Nkansah of the Western region has been promoted to contest the position of National Propaganda Secretary which would later this year be rechristened Publicity and Education Secretary.

The NDC power brokers are still shopping for the party’s next women organizer from the Central Region to play the valuable role the former occupant of that position, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, who is also from that region, played to ensure regional balance.

For the National Youth Organizer position, they group is considering one Mashew Rahman of Upper West region, whose popularity in the Zongos and grass root work is believe would add much value to the political fortunes of the NDC, and Wonder Madilo of Volta, a party activist and former President of the National Union of Ghana students.

According to sources, Wonder Madilo’s candidature is also been considered due to his student activism background and his vast knowledge in mobilizing the youth.

Though a source familiar with the arrangement was reticent when ask to name some of the party big shots behind this ploy, the source stated that it was designed to present a strong force ahead of the 2016 election and also to give each region a representation in the national executive structure of the party.

The source disclosed that some NDC gurus including vice chairman of the party, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya (should he not get the chairmanship nod) would be elevated to the enviable positions of council of elders of the party under the leadership of party founder, Jerry John Rawlings.