Mr. Yaw Amankwa, treasurer of the North America and Canada branches of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has staked his claim for the chairmanship of the party in the Ashanti region.

He says he wants to ensure transparency in the running of the party in the region.

Amankwah, 57, who is also a businessman, says the party needs a man of vision to unite its followers and solidify its stronghold.

The aspirant who has been working behind the scenes the past 12 years, claims to be honest, hardworking, respectful and efficient and, therefore, best qualified to lead the party in the region.

According to him, the 2004 elections needed someone who is effective and result-oriented to maintain the 31 seats and work to claim the other two seats from the opposition.

"Our (NPP) claim to Ashanti must be total," he said. He also said the problem of organising a party at the regional level needed a matured and responsible person.

The aspiring chairman has urged the 132 delegates at the impending regional congress of the party to give him the mandate to restructure the party.

"Ashanti region must continue to be the 'World Bank of the NPP' and this could be made possible with a change in the leadership of the party in the region."

Amankwah has pledged to give meaning to the government's policy of the Golden Age of Business by utilizing his contacts outside the country to attract more investors to the region and help with the unemployment situation.

Meanwhile, Amankwah has denied knowledge of the missing ?120 million campaign money currently being probed by a three-member committee of enquiry.

He has appeared before the Asare Bediako Committee already and given a statement to that effect.

Amankwah and Mr. Kwame Adjei, party regional first vice chairman were alleged to have collected part of the said amount for disbursement during the 2000 elections.

The disbursement of the ?120 million has not been accounted for to the national headquarters of the party which allegedly released the money.

"I am not involved in the disbursement and appropriation of the said money. I am a treasurer of the North America and Canada branches and do not handle party funds in the region," he defended.