Year 2012 polls will not be a joke - Churcher

Wa, Jan. 07, GNA - Madam Christine Churcher, an aspiring National Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the 2012 polls would not be a joke and the NPP would need strong, committed, patriotic and loyal people to form a formidable team to win back power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

She however cautioned that in "our search for dedicated and committed persons to form a winning team, we should not loose sight of the involvement of women".

"There is no constituency anywhere that is bigger than women's constituency", Madam Churcher said. "When a woman understands a message and wants to preach it, her husband will listen and everybody will also listen". Madam Churcher said this at the Upper West Regional Delegates Conference of the NPP held in Wa on Wednesday. The delegates elected a 10-member executive for the party to manage its affairs for the next four years.

Madam Churcher said the election of executives should not be done on trial basis but should be done by providing those who had been tested and found worthy to reach out to the people to win back power for the NPP. Mr. Lord Commey, the National Organiser of the NPP, commended party supporters in the region for working hard to win three seats for the party in the 2008 election.

"To move from one seat in 2000 election to three seats in 2008 is a remarkable achievement", she said and told them to work harder to improve on the seats in the 2012 election.

Twenty-four people contested for 10 executive positions and Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Rahman retained his position as the Regional Chairman. He polled 122 votes to defeat Mr. Eddy Kaleonaa Tizzala and Mr. Mogtari Sahanoon, a former Upper West Regional Minister who polled 70 and six votes respectively.

The first Vice Chairmanship post went Mr. Ismail Mada, an Educationist who won with 93 ballots, followed by Mr Bawah Bismark with 61 votes and Mr. Abubakari Bawa 45 votes.

Mr. Hafiz Bin Salih, a former Youth Organiser, won the Second Vice-Chairmanship position with 135 votes, beating Mr. David K. Nandoh who polled 63 ballots.

Mr. Stephen Yir-Eru Engman, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies, is the new Regional Secretary. He won with 125 ballots in his favour defeating Ibrahim Abu Tamah Tony and Mr. Yussif Yakubu Sungumo who polled 67 and 7 votes respectively. The Assistant Secretary post went to Mr. Mumuni Baba Seidu who gained 124 votes, dislodging Mr. Nankpa A. Osman who managed with 75 votes. Mr. Ibraham Bakpanla is the new Organiser. He won with 94 votes beating Mr. Edward Abu Dombo and Angaamwine Siita who had with 61 and 44 votes respectively. The Treasurer post went to Mr. Dudu Philip who was elected with 118 votes, followed by Mr. Salifu Waah, 64 votes and Mr. Issahaque Tiffere 17 votes.

Madam Hellen S. Bagonluri, a former Women Organiser, retained her post with 105 votes defeating Madam Martha R. Kumbal who polled 94 votes. Mr.Mustapha Dimah Govier won the Youth Organiser post with 112 votes while Mr. Issahaque Murtada and Mr. A. Mujeeb-Rahman polled 79 and six votes respectively. The Regional Coordinator is Mr. Adamu Ibrahim. Alhaji Abdul-Rahman thanked all the delegates for the honour done them and said there was no winner in the election, the winner was the NPP. 07 Jan 10