Kwabena Adjei - New NDC Chairman

... He dethrones Asamoah
Koforidua, Dec. 23, GNA - Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah's four-year term as National Chairman of the country's largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) tumbled on Friday at the end of the 6th National Delegates Congress of the at Koforidua.

Sole challenger, Dr Kwabena Agyei, overwhelmingly dethroned his compatriot former Member of Parliament Biakoye in the Volta Region, with 1,158 votes to a mere 208, as declared by the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr David Adeenze Kanga, to a rapturous ovation by the anxious teeming party supporters.

The former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and two-time NDC Flagbearer, Professor John Atta Mills, arrived in the conference hall just before the announcement of the results, while Dr Asamoah was not present.

The General Secretary position, which was a four-conered fight, was authoritatively won by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who received a whopping 1,068 votes to dismiss Mr Bede Ziedeng, the acting General Secretary picking only 188 votes, Mr Antwi Boasiako-Anbtwi, a former Eastern Regional Minister, 103, with Mr Sylvester Mensah taking only 64 votes. Incumbent National Organiser, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo had his mandate renewed when he humbled former cadre, Mr Kofi Portuphy by 999 votes to 452.

The other results declared by the EC retained Mrs Margaret Clarke-Kwesie as Treasurer as she beat her only challenger Mr Jacob Arthur by 774 votes to 666.

Mr Fiifi Kwetey became the new Propaganda Secretary securing 368 votes against Mr Seidu Adamu's 334 and Mr. Osei Piese-Anto's 333. With the most commanding positions counted, the weary party leadership reached a rapproachment with the EC staff to declared the results to relieve them of the tension.

Other positions yet to be counted and declared were the National Vice-Chairmen being contested by 14 candidates, the Deputy General Secretary, Deputy National Organiser and the Deputy Propaganda Secretary.