Yes, I’m Illiterate: NDC Chairman

The newly-elected Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Obimpeh, has admitted that he has a weak academic background.

The former NDC Ashanti regional organizer told Fox Fm in an interview that he is a form four certificate holder.”I, Obimpeh, won’t lie about my educational status, yes I’m a form four leaver,” he proudly emphasized.

The 53-year-old businessman was reacting to accusation by party activists that the delegates had elected an illiterate as regional chairman of the party.

Mr. Obimpeh noted that though his educational level is nothing to write home about, he is endowed with natural wisdom to proficiently man the affairs of the party. He said because he is naturally gifted with knowledge, he has a better understanding of contemporary issues more than people in the party who claim to be graduates.

“Because of my in depth knowledge in current affairs, I discuss politics and socio-economic issues more effectively than the so-called graduates in our party,” the NDC chairman stressed.

Polling 140 votes out of the 300 votes cast, Mr. Obimpeh crushed gurus like Ahaji Saanie, Frank Osei Mensah and Dominic Anomah to win the chairmanship slot at the congress held at Asante Mampong on Tuesday.

Whereas Ahaji Saanie came into the race as the first vice regional chairman, Mr. Osei Mensah entered with a huge backing of ex-President Rawlings whilst Mr Anomah jumped in as the party’s 2008 parliamentary candidate for Tafo/Pankrono Constituency.

Mr Obimpeh explained that he was able to beat these bigwigs because the delegates knew him as a foot soldier who had suffered in diverse ways for the party. Speaking on the same network, Doe Tamakloe, the Ashanti regional director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), attributed his defeat to forces beyond his reach. As the incumbent regional secretary, Mr Tamakloe was seeking re-election but his bid hit the rocks when he was overwhelmingly defeated by Joseph Yamin, the party’s 2008 parliamentary candidate for Kwadaso Constituency.

Apparently devastated by the crashing defeat, the NADMO Boss contended that his loss was masterminded by forces in the party who did not want him to continue as regional secretary. Mr. Tamakloe noted that at the appropriate time, he would come public with the identity of the forces within the party who fought against his re-election.