NDC Western Region Executive Elections: 54 aspirants begin vetting

Vetting has commenced for 54 aspirants contesting various executive positions in the Western Regional branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the regional chairmanship race emerging as one of the keenest contests ahead of the party’s internal elections.

The exercise is taking place at the party’s regional office in Sekondi, where aspirants have expressed optimism about successfully completing the process.

Some of the contestants who spoke to 3news.com said their decision to contest was motivated by a desire to serve the party, strengthen its structures and consolidate its electoral gains.

The aspirants are drawn from constituencies across the Western Region, although the majority are from the southern part of the region.

Regional Chairmanship Race

The contest for regional chairman has attracted considerable attention, with incumbent Nana Kojo Toku facing two challengers, including former Regional Vice Chairman Samuel K. Borlu, widely regarded as his principal contender.

Nana Toku, who won the position in the 2022 regional elections with 415 votes against his challenger’s 91, is seeking another mandate to lead the party.

His supporters credit his leadership with contributing to the NDC’s improved electoral fortunes in the region, particularly its breakthrough in constituencies where the party had struggled to win parliamentary seats.

They cite the party’s victory in Essikado-Ketan, ending a two-decade wait, and its capture of the Sekondi parliamentary seat for the first time since 1994 as evidence of progress under his leadership.

However, supporters of Samuel Borlu argue that the NDC’s performance in the 2024 general elections was a collective achievement involving constituency executives, parliamentary candidates, grassroots supporters and other party faithful.

They have also raised concerns about internal cohesion and employment opportunities for party members, insisting that the next regional chairman must prioritise unity, grassroots mobilisation and the welfare of the party’s rank and file.

The chairmanship contest is therefore shaping up around competing assessments of the incumbent’s record and differing expectations for the party’s future leadership.

Four Contest for Regional Secretary

The regional secretary position has also attracted significant interest following Joseph Nelson’s appointment as Western Regional Minister.

Four aspirants are seeking to fill the vacancy, including former Regional Communications Officer Ebenezer Essien and former Effia parliamentary candidate Michael Otoo.

The deputy regional secretary position has attracted the highest number of contenders, with nine aspirants seeking election.

Across the various contests, candidates are emphasising the need to strengthen party organisation, promote unity and improve grassroots engagement to consolidate the NDC’s support base and attract new voters.

Communications, Organiser Positions Attract Contenders

Another closely watched contest is for regional communications officer, where incumbent Richard Kirk Mensah faces a challenge from Eric Kyeremah of the Mpohor Constituency.

The winner will be responsible for leading the party’s regional communications strategy, articulating its policies and achievements, responding to political developments and engaging the media and the wider public.

The regional organiser position is also attracting interest, with incumbent Charles Adu-Fordjour facing challenges from former organiser Yunos Mohammed and party stalwart Haruna Moro Azika.

Meanwhile, Regional Treasurer Daniel Darlington Atitso, Deputy Treasurer Marian Plange-Kwofie and Regional Women’s Organiser Gladys Egyin are all going unopposed.

2024 Electoral Performance Looms Over Contest

The internal elections come against the backdrop of the NDC’s strong performance in the 2024 general elections, when the party won 15 of the Western Region’s 17 parliamentary seats, leaving the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with the Takoradi and Effia constituencies.

The NDC gained seven additional parliamentary seats compared with its 2020 performance, winning in Essikado-Ketan, Sekondi, Mpohor, Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Shama, Ahanta West and Kwesimintsim.

The results have become a central point of reference in the regional chairmanship debate.

While supporters of Nana Toku point to the electoral gains as evidence of effective leadership, his challengers maintain that the outcome reflected the collective efforts of party structures and members across the region.

The vetting exercise marks a key step towards the NDC’s Western Regional executive elections, which will determine the leadership responsible for managing the party’s affairs and consolidating its political position in the region.