Cape Coast, (Central Region) 14 Sept.,

Professor D.K. Fobih, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) retained his post as the Central Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at a delegates' conference in Cape Coast at the weekend. Mr. Harruna Esseku, who was elected vice-chairman, polled 54 votes to beat his opponent, Mr. Ben Kojo Acquah who had 26 votes. The post of secretary went to Mr. A.N. Essuman who bagged 67 votes to beat Mr. Abu Sadique Abam who had 14 votes. Miss Gertrude Yeboah was elected treasurer with Mr. Alhaji M.B. Gibrine becoming the regional organiser. The women's organiser went to Ms Joyce Thompson while Mr. Richard Adabir was elected youth organiser. Addressing the conference earlier, Mr. Joseph Agyenim-Boateng, General Secretary of the NPP, urged the members to be dedicated and committed to the ideals of the party. He said the party's defeat in the 1996 elections should be seen as " the uncertainties associated with partisan party politics" and stressed the need for hard work to enable them to win the "battle" ahead in the year 2000. Mr. Agyenim-Boateng urged the members to make allowance for dissenting opinions and views and be tolerant, stressing that their disagreements should not lead to the destruction of the party. He said their organisational structure must be based on the quest to win the "uncommitted and silent majority". Mr. Agyenim-Boateng appealed to the newly-elected officers not to indulge in any act that might bring the party into disrepute. Professor Fobih urged the new executive to work harder to enable the party forge ahead in progress. DR Nyaho Tamakloe, a leading member of the party presented goodwill and fraternal messages from the Accra chapter of the NPP.