Bolgatanga, Jan. 7, GNA - The immediate past Member of Parliament for Builsa North, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, has been elected the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The election saw a near total overhaul of the regional executive structure of the party in the region as most incumbent executive members were booted out.

Among the major casualties were the Chairman and the former Regional Organizer, Mr. Mahmoud Mahama, who was highly tipped to retain his post but lost to Mr. Yaw Mort.

The election, which was delayed due to the late printing of ballot papers, also saw two former District Chief Executives loosing out. Mr Thomas Kofi Alonsi, former Builsa District Chief Executive (DCE) and Mr Emmanuel Achegewe, a former Kassena-Nankana East District Chief Executive, contested for the positions of the Regional Secretary and Second Vice Chairperson respectively.

Mr. Alonsi lost to the former DCE for Garu-Tempane, Mr Joseph Kpemka while Mr Achegewe lost to Mr Isaac Atasige.

Mr Gabriel Ayaba, beat the incumbent First Vice Chairperson Mr. Kizito Kanyomsi. Hajia Hawa Nerchima took the position of Women's Organizer, Mr Michael Aburo was elected the Youth Organizer, Mr Patrick Ayaba took the Treasurer position while Mr Cletus Ayambire became the new Deputy Secretary. The election was done without representation from Bawku Central as there was a court injunction.

Mrs. Chigabatia thanked the delegates for entrusting the leadership of the party to her and pledged to work towards uniting the party in order to position it to recapture power in the 2012 general election. She reiterated her earlier pledge to start a NGO which she said would be called Patriotic Women's Front to empower women in the party with employable skills.

This, she said, would be equivalent to the 31st December Women's movement of the ruling National Democratic Congress and also facilitate the wooing of more women into the fold of the NPP. 07 Jan 10