Politics of Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Source: n. kwaku solomon

Let us show circumspection in our campaign – Tawiah Boateng

As the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) arranging to set date for the election of regional executives in the country, supporters of some candidates have adopted unconventional methods to outplay candidates.

Some of these supporters are defacing the posters of their opponents on the other hand and have reduced the contest to education and insults, creating tension in the region particularly among the followers of the candidates.

Checks at the Eastern Regional party secretariat as at the time of filing this report shows that, only four people namely Mr. Bismark Tawiah Boateng incumbent regional organizer, Mr. John Owusu Amankwah, Oheneba Addo and Alhaji Sumaila, have filed to contest the position.

A certain Richard Etornam Nyarko, a strong supporter and leader of ‘Jowak for Eastern Chairman’ (JOFEC) said NDC is not an experimental party where it would consider the appointment of low class people.

According to him, the party needs someone who has both financial and educational ability to unify and provide the financial assistance towards the running of the party ahead of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.

He continued that, the Eastern region would become the region that would determine victory or otherwise for the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the event that Nana Akufo-Addo leads the party to the election.

This coupled with the determination of the NPP, the leader for JOFEC said it would be a suicidal if the party should elect somebody whose educational background and financial position would put a threat to the success of the party.

Mr. Tawiah Boateng who has served the NDC Party in the various capacities was the 1st constituency organizer for the then Koforidua constituency from 1992-1998 and following his commitment and hard work was appointed as the first Eastern Regional Welfare Officer in 1998-2001.

After distinguishing himself in all these positions, members of the NDC in the region decided to reward him with the Regional organizer position from 2001 till date.

The firebrand regional organizer despite his educational capabilities his intelligent and ability to learn from other people have made the party to increase its votes as well making the party a vibrant in the region.

The man who describes himself as the grass root man wondered why some people would not look at his achievement in the party and rather talk about educational standard, adding that, even though education was important it would be meaningless if you have education but could not apply it reasonably to your advantage.

To him, is the best among the four irrespective of their educational background since he knows the intricacies of the party being a branch chairman, constituency and regional executive for several years.

He has therefore, challenged the delegates to give him the nod since a tried and tested person and would move the party from its current achievement to an envious level.

He further took the opportunity to thank President John Dramani Mahama for the honour done the people of Eastern Region.

According to the aspiring chairman since the inception of multi-party democracy in Ghana, President Mahama is the only president that has given many appointments to people of the region to serve in his government.

To mention a few, Mr. Boateng talked about the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Hon. Seth Terkpe, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah, minister for Communication and Information, Hon. Julius Debrah, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.

He paid glowing tribute to Hon. Julius Debrah whom he worked with as a regional chairman for his leadership qualities and promised to continue from where he (Julius) left when he is endorsed as the new chairman.

He mentioned that, discipline and lack of coordination between the party and Municipal and Districts Chief Executives (MDCEs) which go a long way to create tension and misunderstanding would be a thing of the past under his leadership.

He would also bring all past regional executives, regional ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) under one roof to share and contribute their rich experiences with current crop of leaders towards building a formidable front to the 2016 elections.