Three-term Amenfi West NDC Secretary eyes Western Regional Deputy Secretary position

Samuel Kwaku Oppong, the three-term Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Amenfi West, has filed to contest for the position of Western Regional Deputy Secretary in the party's upcoming regional elections.

Mr Oppong believes his extensive experience in party organisation, public administration, governance, information and communication technology (ICT), and institutional planning positions him to contribute meaningfully to the effective administration and strengthening of the party's structures across the Western Region.

Drawing on his background in education management, monitoring and evaluation, local governance and political leadership, he says he is prepared to bring efficiency, discipline, accountability and effective coordination to the regional secretariat if given the mandate.

Mr Oppong possesses a strong academic background, with qualifications spanning public administration, education, political science and political leadership.

He obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 2024. He also holds a Master of Education in Measurement and Evaluation from the University of Cape Coast, obtained in 2019, and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Education, Winneba, in 2011.

His other qualifications include a Diploma in Education from the University of Education, Kumasi Campus, in 2010, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and the Study of Religions from the University of Ghana, completed in 2005.

In 2022, he further enhanced his political and organisational credentials through a programme in Advanced Political Leadership and Party Organisation at the Ghana Institute of Social Democracy.

He believes his academic training, combined with his professional and political experience, has equipped him with the analytical, administrative and leadership skills needed to support the effective management of the NDC's Western Regional Secretariat.

Mr Oppong currently serves as a Deputy Director and Head of the Municipal Statistics, Monitoring, Evaluation and Planning Unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES), a position he has held since 2017.

In this capacity, he leads monitoring, evaluation and planning activities, coordinates data collection and reporting, supervises staff, and supports evidence-based decision-making within the municipal education system.

His responsibilities also include monitoring the implementation of government education policies, preparing performance reports, supporting budget preparation and workforce planning, and ensuring compliance with public sector reporting standards.

His professional record includes efforts to strengthen education data reliability, improve reporting timelines and enhance monitoring systems to support effective service delivery.

Before assuming his current role, Mr Oppong served as a Circuit Supervisor with the Ghana Education Service from 2011 to 2017. He monitored schools, assessed teacher performance, provided technical and administrative support to headteachers and teachers, and helped ensure compliance with educational standards.

He began his teaching career at Asankrangwa Senior High Technical School, where he worked from 2006 to 2011. During this period, he also served as House Master, Sports Master and Entertainment Master, gaining experience in leadership, student discipline, mentorship and organisational coordination.

Beyond his professional career, Mr Oppong has considerable experience in local governance and community representation.

He served as an Assembly Member for the Asankran Breman Electoral Area of the Wassa Amenfi West District Assembly from 2006 to 2010. During his tenure, he served on the Assembly's Executive Committee and Social Services Sub-Committee, contributing to discussions on local development, public services and community needs.

He subsequently served as a government appointee to the Wassa Amenfi West District Assembly from 2010 to 2012, participating in district-level policy discussions and development planning.

His experience in local governance, together with his record as a three-term NDC constituency secretary, has given him valuable exposure to grassroots political organisation, stakeholder engagement, public administration and community development.

Mr Oppong believes this combination of political and administrative experience places him in a strong position to support the Western Regional Secretary and improve coordination among constituency executives across the region.

Mr Oppong is building his case for the position around his political experience, administrative competence, academic qualifications and commitment to public service.

His professional competencies include monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, performance tracking, budget coordination, institutional reporting, ICT-oriented administration and stakeholder management.

He believes these skills can help improve the efficiency of the regional secretariat, strengthen internal coordination and support the effective implementation of party programmes and decisions.

According to him, the Deputy Regional Secretary position requires not only political commitment but also organisational discipline, effective communication, sound administrative systems and a strong working relationship with constituency executives and grassroots members.

On the strength of his experience, Mr Oppong maintains that he is the right candidate for the position and is appealing to NDC delegates across the Western Region to consider his candidature and vote for him in the upcoming regional elections.

He is seeking the opportunity to translate his years of professional service, political leadership and grassroots engagement into a stronger and more effective regional party administration.

As the NDC prepares for its regional elections, Mr Oppong's candidature places his administrative experience, governance background, ICT-oriented approach and sustained involvement in constituency-level party organisation at the centre of his appeal to delegates.

By Ebenezer Atiemo