Brong Ahafo Region: A Comprehensive Report On All 46 Candidates Seeking To Lead The NDC’s Agenda 2020

After securing 44.40 percent of valid votes cast to lose in the 2016 presidential elections, the National Democratic Congress(NDC) is on another path to recapture political power.One of such processes is the impending election of regional executives in all the ten regions to spearhead the strategies of the party on September 1, 2018.In the Brong Ahafo Region, the Regional Delegates Congress is scheduled to take place at the Jubilee Park, Sunyani.Described by many political watchers as political rebuilding, who leads the party in the region is therefore key considering the fact that the party performed abysmally against the NPP in the 2016 general elections.In all, 46 aspirants will be seeking to capture the fifteen executive positions up for grabs in order lead the party. Out of the positions, three of them, that is the Chairman, the Secretary and the Zongo Caucus Coordinator will not be contested.The lack of competition for the positions of Chairman and Secretary seems to have taken some bit of shine from the race but with Opoku Mensah Prince (Portuphy) bent on uprooting the almighty Mohamed Siedu (Maha) as the organizer, all eyes will  surely be on the conference in the Brong Ahafo region.Another portfolio that all political watchers will be keeping a close eye on  is the position of the Regional Communication Officer which is being contested between Hon. Apraku Lartey and Charles Akowuah Tuffour.Ahead of the elections, a research organisation, INTEGRITY NETWORK, has released a report detailing the profiles of all the 45 apirants.The report does not only look at the identity of the various aspirants but it also contains a comprehenssive assessment of their roles to party activism and their likely chances in the delegates’ congress.According to the Executive Director of Integrity Network, Mr Osei Henry, this report is based on an initial research conducted between 27th July and 10th August, 2018.He reveals that the organisation will in the coming days release the second part of the report which will contain specifics in terms of projected percentages each candidate is expected to get in the delegates congress.The de facto chairman of the party from hence is Hon. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo. This sterns from the fact that he is going into the contest unopposed. Hon. Nyamekye Marfo is the incumbent Vice Chairman of the party in the region and will from 1st September 2018, be handed over the mantle by Chairman Atuahene who has honorably paid his dues to the party.Hon. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo brings some dignity to the leadership front of the party in the region. He comes to the chairmanship position as a very decorated and experienced politician. From the cadre stock of the party, he rose through the rank and file of the party to become the District Chief Executive officer of Sunyani, Regional Minister for Brong Ahafo and an Ambassador to Algeria in the last NDC administration.Most delegates say that his humility is beyond human understanding. They say that he has an impeccable human relation and is able to mingle with ordinary people so calmly. Most delegates feel that it would have been a waste of time, energy and resources for anyone who would have contested him.Indeed, with Hon. Nyamekye Marfo as the chairman of the National Democratic Congress in the region, the New Patriotic Party had to prepare for a diplomatic warfare strategy come 2020 here in the Brong Ahafo Region.The race for the vice chairmanship position is ably contested by three candidates for which two of them will be elected to the position as vice chairpersons. They are Mr. Kwadwo Takyi-Arhin of Techiman South Constituency known in football circles as Thunder.He is the incumbent Regional Youth Organizer and a very popular football administrator, Alhaji Nasiru Yusifu Farara the immediate past chairman of Techiman South constituency and a GPRTU secretary, and Alhaji Ibrahim Gariba a former Vice Chairman of Wenchi constituency.This is an open battle ground with no clear leader in the race for now. Takyi Arhin is the popular among the aspirants but suffers from an incumbency disadvantage. Most of our respondents feel that he is more dedicated to football than party activities. Notwithstanding that, he is a giant in the party with huge connection and the dynamics are likely to favour him.Alhaji Nasiru Yusif Farara, a cadre, who seeks elevation from constituency chairman to a regional vice chairmanship position, comes to the race as an experienced politician and organizational leader.However, the party’s performance in the 2016 election in Techiman and the circumstances leading to his stepping down in the contest for the constituency chairmanship race is likely to affect his chances if not managed well.Alhaji Ibrahim Garibah is the surprise candidate here. He is a known financier of the party and most delegates feel he is resourceful which will inure to the advantage of the party organisation especially in opposition. As vice chairman of Wenchi, the delegates hardly blame him for the misfortunes of the party in the 2016 general elections.The chief scribe’s portfolio of the great Akatamanso party in the Brong Ahafo Region is under the able leadership of Dennis Yeboah Twumasi of Sunyani West Constituency popularly called Redman as a result of his light skin pigmentation.Dennis Yeboah Twumasi, is the incumbent regional secretary of the party is honoured by the NDC faithfuls for his sacrifices and services to the party as an unopposed candidate for the position of Regional Secretary.When asked why he was unopposed, almost all the respondents would start like “hard work pays”. Most of the delegates our team spoke to say he is a workaholic and the heartbeat of the party in the region. Delegates see him as the epitome of loyalty, commitment and dedication to the course of Akatamanso movement.Candidates in contention to ably deputize Mr. Dennis Yeboah Twumasi for the administration of the regional secretariat of the party are Mohammed Shamsudeen of Atebubu Amanten Constituency who is a member of the regional communication team and a special aid to the former Member of Parliament, Sanja Nanja, Donkor Isaac of Kintampo Constituency and a member of the NDC regional communication team, and Mohammed Abdul Razak (affectionately called Chachas) of Sunyani East Constituency and also a member of the regional communication team.At the time of our initial rounds of calls, most of the delegates said they were yet to meet with the aspirants. However, the delegates who affirmatively confirmed knowledge of the aspirants prowess placed Abdul Razak ahead of the others. They describe him as an eloquently energetic young man.In the race for the regional organizer of the party, there are two candidates who are seeking to prevent the re-election of the incumbent organizer, Mohammed Seidu of Sunyani East Constituency and affectionately called Maha. These two contenders are Akwasi Lampo a former Constituency Organizer, and Opoku Mensah Prince of Techiman South Constituency who is called Junior Kofi Portuphy as a result of his connection and links with the National Chairman of the Party.Our research revealed that, all the aspirants have some degree of presence in the various constituencies. Mr. Mohammed Seidu is very popular among the delegates as compared to Mr.Opoku Mensah Prince and Akwasi Lampo. Mr. Mohammed Seidu stands as the overwhelming favourite to retain his position. Most delegates are of the belief that he is their best bet to organize the party in opposition.This assertion is based on the fact that he has enormous experience when it comes to mobilization of the grassroots. Others are of the notion that if it was not for Maha the party would have collapsed.One particular delegate even said that,it will be a doom for the party in the region if he is ousted because of the numerous functions he plays in the party.However, there seems to be a grand scheme by certain individuals both internally and externally to get him out in order to reduce his seemingly absolute control of the party in the region. The only blemish to the agenda ‘Retain Maha’ is that some grassroots members feel that he amassed a lot of wealth to himself to the neglect of party loyalists. But this allegation falls flat against the overwhelming evidence of his financial support to the party activities and individual members especially those of the zongo communities.On the other two organizer hopefuls, Opoku Mensah Prince seems more threatening to the bid to retain MAHA as compared to that of Akwasi Lampo. He leads the smear campaign against the agenda retain MAHA. These notwithstanding, the general consensus among most delegates is the need for the two to bide their time as the party needs tried and tested hands for party organization and mobilization especially as they find themselves in opposition.The battle for the office of the deputy organizer is an open race for all three contending aspirants to grab as a result of the dynamics at play here. The position is ably contested by Charles Asiedu of Tain Constituency who is the least known in the race but he comes into the contest with the advantage of a giant political godfather General Asiedu Nketia, Abdul Fatau Abass of Wenchi Constituency comes into the race with the experience from being a constituency organizer, and Gabriel Kwarteng of Sunyani East Constituency popularly called Angel Gabriel is the vice chairman of the Regular Callers Association in the region and the most popular among the delegates with huge media presence.Our initial findings, however, show that the race is more pronounced between Abdul Fatau Abass and Gabriel Kwarteng who contested the same portfolio and lost slightly the in 2014.The treasurer position is being contested by incumbent Deputy Regional Treasurer Mr Abonkrah Manu Joseph, a Cadre from Pru, and Mr Gapson Kofi Raphael a party activist in the Far East and a regional communication team member and from the Atebubu Amantin Constituency.Our research shows that Mr Abonkrah who seeks the endorsement of the delegates to become the substantive is the overwhelming favourite to become the next regional treasurer of the party for the Brong Ahafo Region. The reasons given by most delegates to back this claim point to the fact that Mr Abonkrah has gained substantial experience from serving as deputy treasurer. They believe by voting for him is a reward for his humility, hard work, loyalty and unflinching commitment to the course of the party.On the part of Mr. Gapson Raphael who is more visible on the various social media platforms, the delegates feel that he has the competencies to be the next financial officer of the party but are not sure if his time is now. Another section of the kingmakers of the party claim that by ignoring Mr Abonkrah as the party’s next treasurer will serve as a disincentive to party loyalists from staying committed to the party’s course. However, Raphael seems to enjoy some support from the Far East where the smear campaign against Mr. Abonkrah for his association with MAHA is more pronounced and he is likely to give Abonkrah a run for his money.The race to take over from Mr. Abonkrah Manu Joseph as the deputy regional treasurer are Ayomah Moro, a former Deputy Youth Organizer and Regional Coordinator of the Youth Employment Agency, Suaka Peter Lonyian a member of the Regional Communication Team, a prolific writer and a disappointed Constituency Deputy Secretary, and Magyina Kwasi a member of the Regional Communication Team, secretary to the Regular Callers Association and also a disappointed Constituency Youth Organizer. Surprisingly, they are all from the Sunyani East Constituency.Ayomah Moro is the popular among the aspirants and leads the race to become the next Deputy Treasurer. However, his track record as the Youth Employment Coordinator seems to create some disaffection for his bid.Suaka Peter comes to the race as a fine gentleman with great advantage of having a Master of Science Degree in Development Management from the University of Development Studies to complement whosoever is elected the Treasurer.Magyina Kwasi is a very popular grassroots person and a TEIN activist and mostly heard on radio defending the party. Most delegates feel he is very committed and loyal to the course of the party.The newly created communication officer position of the party is one of the keenly contested positions in this year’s regional elections. There will be three individuals who will be vying to become the first communication officer of the region.These aspirants are Hon. Apraku Lartey, the immediate past District Chief Executive of Tano North and the parliamentary aspirant for the party in the 2016 general election for the same constituency, Mr. Moro Zorngo of Wenchi Constituency and Mr Charles Akowuah Tuffour a popular communicator of the party. This competition is a two horse race between Mr Akowuah and Hon Apraku Lartey.Most delegates our researchers interviewed said that Akowuah stands the chance of becoming the first ever regional communication officer of the party.They believe that he is calm but very smart when discussing issues on radio.They are of the assertion that his communication on party issues in the media circles is better than his close contender Hon.Apraku. Others are also of the view that the smear campaign of tagging him as an NPP member by his opponents has worked to his advantage as he has justified himself as a loyal and committed member to the agenda 2020 course of the party.Hon.Apraku Lartey has a very good track record as DCE of Tano North and lost narrowly to Freda Prempeh of the NPP.  As a long standing member of the regional communication team, Hon. Apraku Lartey comes to the race as an experienced politician with sound knowledge in financial administration and rich experience in local government.His supporters call him “Akoraa Nyame” and they claim that he made the district capital of Tano North, Duankwanta, a “Small London”. With resources advantage and connections, Hon. Apraku Lartey is tipped to win if he is able to manage the seemingly dire relationship with executive members of the Ahafo groupings.On Mr.Moro Zongo,our research revealed that, he had little presence among the grassroots. He is more vibrant in the Bono East but even there Akowuah is stronger.Whosoever wins as the communication officer for the party is to have a very strong partner to face the vociferous NPP communication team in the person of Eric Adjei, a law student. A known and active regional communication team member, Eric Adjei is one of the fire brands in the communication team of the party and faces little or no competition from his only contender Amadu Eben Awulai.Most of the delegates our team spoke to said they do not know Adamu Eben Awulai and he is yet to visit their constituencies. We are highly convinced that Mr. Awulai is in this race to promote a certain agenda.Barring any last minute changes, we believe that Eric Adjei is in for massive and overwhelming endorsement.The women wing of the party promises to be one of the portfolios in serious contention. The incumbent Women Organizer Florence Aning a queen mother in the Dormaa Traditional Area and popularly known as Nana Hemaa faces a stiff opposition two giants of the the women front of the party in the region. Nana Hemaa enjoys some high level of incumbency advantage, however, she also suffers from issues raised by her opponents for role she played in the run up to the 2016 general elections.Hon. Grace Boakye is former Member of Parliament for Tano South and former regional coordinator of the School Feeding Programme. Hon. Grace Boakye is very popular among the women front across the region for her role as a team leader of the selected women that went across the region to sensitize the women of the region. Most of the delegates feel she has a very good message.Hon. Agnes Kusi has the highest chance to upset the incumbent. She is the former District Chief Executive of Sunyani West Constituency. Most delegates our team spoke to said she is their choice and the best bet for election 2020. She is said to be very vibrant with very good human relation.The deputy women organizer position is been contested by six energetic party activist of the NDC women front in the region for which two of the will be elected to assist the main women organizer.They are Deborah Narh of Sunyani East Constituency and a former deputy women organizer, Fati Abubakar of Berekum East, Georgina Puopiel an immediate past deputy women organizer, Ntene Ayisha of Sunyani East also an immediate past deputy women organizer, Evelyn Adarkwah-Frema popularly called Armatel is a former chairperson and also from the Sunyani East Constituency, Amponsah Felicity is a former treasurer of the party.According to our initial round of interviews, Hadjia Ntene Ayisha is the overwhelming favorite among the contenders. However, there is high level of competition between the other five aspirants.The Youth organizer position is keenly contested between four energetic young men. These aspirants are Thomas Warlanyo Tsekpo popularly known as Efo and Bilal Mauzu Sulemana both of the communication department of the party. The rest are Ayaaba John who happens to be the current deputy youth organizer and Sulemana Alhassan popularly called Ashavin is also a communication team member and an active member of the youth wing of the party.Ayaaba John and Thomas Warlanyo Tsekpo lead the pack in terms of strong presence in the various constituencies. Ayaaba John seems to have slight edge over the other candidates because of incumbency advantage. Most delegates feel that these two individuals are easily accessible, grassroots persons and good orators who can organize the youth for victory in 2020.Bilal Sulemana who is making his second bid to serve from the youth front is considered as a dark horse in this race and poses a serious threat to the leading contenders as some of the delegates believe that he has the capabilities to lead the youth wing of the party. Majority of the delegates said they were yet to meet or speak to Sulemana Alhassan.Accessibility, hardworking, dedication, resourcefulness, oratory skills, and humility among others are traits delegates said they will consider before voting for an individual to lead the youth wing of the party.There are eight energetic young men in the race for the position of deputy youth organizer for which two will be elected to support the youth organizer for the mobilization of the youth front of the party.We of Integrity Network are highly surprised about the sheer number of contenders for this portfolio and would advise that going forward the elections committee of the party should learn to down size the numbers to get the best for the delegates.They are Eric Yaw Amponsah also known as Hon. Shoe is an incumbent deputy youth organizer and seeking reelection, Obeng Agyenim Boateng is from the Atebubu Amantin Constituency, a regional communication team member and a TEIN activist, Gilbert Nondo Gbolo of Sunyani East Constituency is a well known regional communication team member and highly connected with national leaders of the party, and Owusu Ababio Nkrumah of Asutifi North Constituency who contested for the 2015 parliamentary primaries.The rest are Nasir Nuhu Asura and Nicholas Saddari all of Sunyani East Constituency, Rashid Ahmed of Berekum, and Moses Kofi Woli of Jaman North Constituency who is a regional communication team member responsible with focus on social media.Our initial findings, however, show that the race is more pronounced between Abdul Fatau Abass and Gabriel Kwarteng who contested the same portfolio and lost slightly the in 2014.The treasurer position is being contested by incumbent Deputy Regional Treasurer Mr Abonkrah Manu Joseph, a Cadre from Pru, and Mr Gapson Kofi Raphael a party activist in the Far East and a regional communication team member and from the Atebubu Amantin Constituency.Our research shows that Mr Abonkrah who seeks the endorsement of the delegates to become the substantive is the overwhelming favourite to become the next regional treasurer of the party for the Brong Ahafo Region.The reasons given by most delegates to back this claim point to the fact that Mr Abonkrah has gained substantial experience from serving as deputy treasurer. They believe by voting for him is a reward for his humility, hard work, loyalty and unflinching commitment to the course of the party.On the part of Mr. Gapson Raphael who is more visible on the various social media platforms, the delegates feel that he has the competencies to be the next financial officer of the party but are not sure if his time is now.Another section of the kingmakers of the party claim that by ignoring Mr Abonkrah as the party’s next treasurer will serve as a disincentive to party loyalists from staying committed to the party’s course.However, Raphael seems to enjoy some support from the Far East where the smear campaign against Mr. Abonkrah for his association with MAHA is more pronounced and he is likely to give Abonkrah a run for his money.The race to take over from Mr. Abonkrah Manu Joseph as the deputy regional treasurer are Ayomah Moro, a former Deputy Youth Organizer and Regional Coordinator of the Youth Employment Agency, Suaka Peter Lonyian a member of the Regional Communication Team, a prolific writer and a disappointed Constituency Deputy Secretary, and Magyina Kwasi a member of the Regional Communication Team, secretary to the Regular Callers Association and also a disappointed Constituency Youth Organizer. Surprisingly, they are all from the Sunyani East Constituency.Ayomah Moro is the popular among the aspirants and leads the race to become the next Deputy Treasurer. However, his track record as the Youth Employment Coordinator seems to create some disaffection for his bid.Suaka Peter comes to the race as a fine gentleman with great advantage of having a Master of Science Degree in Development Management from the University of Development Studies to complement whosoever is elected the Treasurer.Magyina Kwasi is a very popular grassroots person and a TEIN activist and mostly heard on radio defending the party. Most delegates feel he is very committed and loyal to the course of the party.The newly created communication officer position of the party is one of the keenly contested positions in this year’s regional elections. There will be three individuals who will be vying to become the first communication officer of the region.These aspirants are Hon. Apraku Lartey, the immediate past District Chief Executive of Tano North and the parliamentary aspirant for the party in the 2016 general election for the same constituency, Mr. Moro Zorngo of Wenchi Constituency and Mr Charles Akowuah Tuffour a popular communicator of the party. This competition is a two horse race between Mr Akowuah and Hon Apraku Lartey.Most delegates our researchers interviewed said that Akowuah stands the chance of becoming the first ever regional communication officer of the party.They believe that he is calm but very smart when discussing issues on radio.They are of the assertion that his communication on party issues in the media circles is better than his close contender Hon.Apraku. Others are also of the view that the smear campaign of tagging him as an NPP member by his opponents has worked to his advantage as he has justified himself as a loyal and committed member to the agenda 2020 course of the party.Hon.Apraku Lartey has a very good track record as DCE of Tano North and lost narrowly to Freda Prempeh of the NPP.  As a long standing member of the regional communication team, Hon. Apraku Lartey comes to the race as an experienced politician with sound knowledge in financial administration and rich experience in local government.His supporters call him “Akoraa Nyame” and they claim that he made the district capital of Tano North, Duankwanta, a “Small London”. With resources advantage and connections, Hon. Apraku Lartey is tipped to win if he is able to manage the seemingly dire relationship with executive members of the Ahafo groupings.On Mr.Moro Zongo,our research revealed that, he had little presence among the grassroots. He is more vibrant in the Bono East but even there Akowuah is stronger.Whosoever wins as the communication officer for the party is to have a very strong partner to face the vociferous NPP communication team in the person of Eric Adjei, a law student. A known and active regional communication team member, Eric Adjei is one of the fire brands in the communication team of the party and faces little or no competition from his only contender Amadu Eben Awulai.Most of the delegates our team spoke to said they do not know Adamu Eben Awulai and he is yet to visit their constituencies. We are highly convinced that Mr. Awulai is in this race to promote a certain agenda.Barring any last minute changes, we believe that Eric Adjei is in for massive and overwhelming endorsement.The women wing of the party promises to be one of the portfolios in serious contention. The incumbent Women Organizer Florence Aning a queen mother i the Dormaa Traditional Area and popularly known as Nana Hemaa faces a stiff opposition two giants of the the women front of the party in the region. Nana Hemaa enjoys some high level of incumbency advantage, however,  alssheo suffers from issues raised by her opponents for role she played in the run up to the 2016 general elections.Hon. Grace Boakye is former Member of Parliament for Tano South and former regional coordinator of the School Feeding Programme. Hon. Grace Boakye is very popular among the women front across the region for her role as a team leader of the selected women that went across the region to sensitize the women of the region. Most of the delegates feel she has a very good message.Hon. Agnes Kusi has the highest chance to upset the incumbent. She is the former District Chief Executive of Sunyani West Constituency. Most delegates our team spoke to said she is their choice and the best bet for election 2020. She is said to be very vibrant with very good human relation.The deputy women organizer position is been contested by six energetic party activist of the NDC women front in the region for which two of the will be elected to assist the main women organizer.They are Deborah Narh of Sunyani East Constituency and a former deputy women organizer, Fati Abubakar of Berekum East, Georgina Puopiel an immediate past deputy women organizer, Ntene Ayisha of Sunyani East also an immediate past deputy women organizer, Evelyn Adarkwah-Frema popularly called Armatel is a former chairperson and also from the Sunyani East Constituency, Amponsah Felicity is a former treasurer of the party.According to our initial round of interviews, Hadjia Ntene Ayisha is the overwhelming favorite among the contenders. However, there is high level of competition between the other five aspirants.The Youth organizer position is keenly contested between four energetic young men. These aspirants are Thomas Warlanyo Tsekpo popularly known as Efo and Bilal Mauzu Sulemana both of the communication department of the party. The rest are Ayaaba John who happens to be the current deputy youth organizer and Sulemana Alhassan popularly called Ashavin is also a communication team member and an active member of the youth wing of the party.Ayaaba John and Thomas Warlanyo Tsekpo lead the pack in terms of strong presence in the various constituencies. Ayaaba John seems to have slight edge over the other candidates because of incumbency advantage. Most delegates feel that these two individuals are easily accessible, grassroots persons and good orators who can organize the youth for victory in 2020.Bilal Sulemana who is making his second bid to serve from the youth front is considered as a dark horse in this race and poses a serious threat to the leading contenders as some of the delegates believe that he has the capabilities to lead the youth wing of the party. Majority of the delegates said they were yet to meet or speak to Sulemana Alhassan.Accessibility, hardworking, dedication, resourcefulness, oratory skills, and humility among others are traits delegates said they will consider before voting for an individual to lead the youth wing of the party.There are eight energetic young men in the race for the position of deputy youth organizer for which two will be elected to support the youth organizer for the mobilization of the youth front of the party. We of Integrity Network are highly surprised about the sheer number of contenders for this portfolio and would advise that going forward the elections committee of the party should learn to down size the numbers to get the best for the delegates.They are Eric Yaw Amponsah also known as Hon. Shoe is an incumbent deputy youth organizer and seeking reelection, Obeng Agyenim Boateng is from the Atebubu Amantin Constituency, a regional communication team member and a TEIN activist, Gilbert Nondo Gbolo of Sunyani East Constituency is a well known regional communication team member and highly connected with national leaders of the party, and Owusu Ababio Nkrumah of Asutifi North Constituency who contested for the 2015 parliamentary primaries.The rest are Nasir Nuhu Asura and Nicholas Saddari all of Sunyani East Constituency, Rashid Ahmed of Berekum, and Moses Kofi Woli of Jaman North Constituency who is a regional communication team member responsible with focus on social media.Our initial analysis places Gilbert Nondo Gbolo in an overwhelming lead followed by Obeng Agyenim Boateng, Nasir Nuhu Asura and Eric Amponsah in no clear order. The rest would need to increase their efforts tremendously in order to cause some upset.Alhaji Baba Awudu Gausu is the incumbent and delegates feels he was not contested because of his hard work, commitment, loyalty to the course of the great Akatamanso party. Alhaji Baba Awudu Gausu, like MAHA, always has special attention for the members from the Zongo stock.You can click on the link below to download the full report…NDC B A Reg Election ReportCall our Editor on 0209391902 or click here and inform us via Whatsapp. You could equally email your stories or articles to info@ghanaxtra.com and we’ll surely put them online