FOR the first time in the history of the NPP, the party has elected key national officers for its Youth and Women's wings. Mr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, ex-Editor of statesman newspaper, and Rita Talata Asobayire chalked 134 and 85 votes respectively to emerge as the new National Youth and Women's organisers of the party.

Mr Richard Quarshie, who had been tipped to win the position, lost gallantly with 75 votes, while in the women’s race, Rosemary Ekwam had 75 votes, Susan Mensah got 35, Joyce Thompson 11, and Hajia Halima Mahama polled five votes.Earlier, Ms Rebecca Eshun withdrew from the contest for the position of national women's organiser.

The election of the National youth and women's organisers as well as their respective secretaries and treasurers formed part of the three-day National Delegates Conference/Congress of the party in Sekondi at the weekend.

In the absence of any competition for the flagbearer position, following the sole candidature of the incumbent President, Mr J. A. Kufuor, the election of officers for the two wings of the party generated the most excitement at the congress as supporters of the rival candidates ran road shows and canvassed openly for support for their respective candidates.

After a period of five minutes given to each candidate to address the delegates before voting formally commenced, tension mounted in the hall as all eagerly awaited the final verdict of the 210 delegates for each of the two wings of the party. In the contest for the position of National Youth Secretary, Mr Isaac Asiamah secured 85 votes to beat Mr Pius Enam and Razak Awudulai who got 56 and 32 votes respectively.

The post of National Youth Treasurer went to Mr John Boadu who got 141 votes as against 56 votes for Akosua Agyapong.

The position of National Women's Secretary went to Mrs Tina Mensah Jefferson who got 130 votes as against 76 by Mrs Rosemond Comfort Abrah.In the race for the position of National Women's Treasurer, Mrs Afua Serwah Oppon secured 122 votes to beat Mrs Juliana Osei-Banahene who got 81 votes.

Soon after the results were announced the congress hall and the surrounding area erupted into wild jubilation and merry-making as supporters of the victorious candidates charged, sang and danced to gong-gong and brass band music well into the night.In speeches to accept their new positions, Mr Abdul-Hamid and Mrs Asobayire expressed gratitude to the delegates for reposing their trust and confidence in them and pledged to work to revamp their respective organs, make them more efficient and effective and thus justify the confidence reposed in them and to work hard together with the other members of the national executive to move the fortunes of the NPP forward and to position it to retain power in the 2004 elections.

They were immediately sworn into office by the General Secretary of the party, Mr Dan Botwe, who called on them to see their elevation to the new positions as posing big challenges as well as opportunities for them to serve the party.The three elected national officers each of the youth and women's wings are expected to be joined by the 10 regional youth and women's organisers to constitute a 13-member national executive of the two bodies.