Nine women file to contest NDC elections in Central Region

Efforts at encouraging strong women representation in active politics received a major boost as nine women filed their forms to contest various positions in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region.

Seven out of the number were candidates contesting the election for the first time, with two incumbent women seeking re-election.

In all, 62 candidates had put themselves up for the party's internal polls as of the close of filing on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

The Regional Executive Committee (REC) was to meet on Monday, July 30, 2018 to set a date for vetting.

Encourage more women

The Central Regional Secretary, Mr Sampson Ahianyo, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the proportion of women in the elections was not any better with just nine of them among the 62 aspiring candidates.

He urged more women to contest in subsequent elections to increase female participation in governance and leadership positions, saying "they must muster courage and confidence to get themselves elected, instead of sitting on the fence".

He praised the aspiring candidates for exhibiting a high level of discipline and orderliness devoid of rancour, acrimony and political machinations that could have destroyed the party.

Contestants

Contesting the chairmanship slot are a former Regional Minister, Aquinas Quansah, Kakra Yalley and Lawyer E.K.T. Addo; while Theophilus Aidoo Mensah, Stephen Edward Moore, Abeiku Aggrey, Lawrence Lamptey, Alfred Halm and Lawyer Daniel Ohene Darkoh vie for the vice chairmanship.

Aspiring candidates for the secretary position are Elvis Christian Amoasa, Kojo Quansah, Henry Kweku Hayfron, George Ebo Crentsil and Gabriel Nii Kommey Adams, while Eric Offei and Kofi Mathew battle it out for the deputy secretary slot.

Others are Mr Justice Boison, Derrick Mbir, Eric Essuah and Veronica Essuman Nelson for the treasurer position, with Zakaria Salifu, Samuel Oheneba Quaison, Benjamin Ewusi Afful, Victoria Pobee-Woode, Kwame Sam, Peter Yaw Affum, Charlotte Tobiah and Theodore Yankah gunning for the deputy treasurer position.

The regional organiser position is being contested between Michael Mwinbe Derry and Peter Kofi Owusu Ashia, with Kojo Peter Essel, Nana Yaw Payne, Paul Powell Aboagye, Kofi Adzra, Nana Oseibi, Quansah Simon Duodo, Atta Mensah and Archimedes Avornu vying for the deputy regional organiser position.

The fiercest competition has emerged among the aspirants for the regional communications director position as two of the contenders, Mr Afenyi Donkor and Mr Ambrose Amoah-Ahiyiah, are staunch media practitioners in the region.

Intense campaign

The regional women organiser position is also a hot contest between the incumbent, Sistiana Ekuwa Swanzy, and Faustina N.L. Lamptey as they sway delegates to their sides, while Evelyn A. Adu, Judith Sam, Esther Sam and Ophelia Amoah intensify engagements for the deputy women organiser position.

With the vision to regain the lost Zongo communities in Election 2016, campaigns have been heightened among various aspiring candidates for the Zongo Caucus as Alhaji Rashid Abubakar, Hudu Abdul Mumin, Mohammed Muftau and Abdulai Amo reach out to delegates, hoping to sway them to their side.

Regarded as the engine of any political party, more youth have opted to revive the rank and file of the youth with various innovative ideas and programmes to endear the youth to the party.

In contention for the regional youth organiser position are Awal Mohammed, Eric Dadson and Ishmael Prah, with Amos Ansah, Nurudeen Migyimah, Francis Asmah, Bright Botchway, Joseph Mensah Abakah and Anthony Acquah gearing up for the deputy regional youth organiser position.