The Washington- Metro National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch in the U.S.A has elected new executives to steer the affairs of the party for the next two years. The Washington Metro branch is the first of all the NDC branches in the U.S and one of the oldest Ghanaian political movements here in the United States. The Metro branch was very instrumental in many campaign activities in Ghana leading to the 2008 victory for the NDC in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

The Branch’s election was very crucial and attracted a lot of attention. Many members and sympathizers attended the meeting to show their support for the party. They helped to get the candidates of their choice elected. The election was peaceful, cordial and above all well deserving after an excellent performance by the previous executives under the chairmanship of Mr. Ben Mensah. Those elected to serve for the next two years are:

CHAIRMAN - Prof. Kwame Agyenim-Boateng

VICE CHAIRMAN - Mr. Prince Evar Agyemang

SECRETARY - Mr. Charles Kpodzo

DEP. SECRETARY - Mr. Mike Artcher

TREASURER - Ms. Bridgitt Bonsu

DEP. TREASURER - Mr. John Feddy

ORGANIZER - Mr. Evans Asigbee

DEP. ORGANIZER – Mr. Felix Attipoe

WOMEN ORGANIZER - Mrs. Angela Anim-Yankah

DEP. WOMEN ORGANIZER – Ms. Gladys Martin

YOUTH ORGANIZER - Mr. Peter K. Akpebu

WELFARE OFFICER – Ms. Betty Kudoto

PUBLICITY OFFICER - Mr. Sam Adebayo

In his farewell address, the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Ben Mensah, reminded the newly elected executives to improve on our achievements. He asked them to let the light shine and help project the party in a positive manner. He was full of praise to all members for their contributions to the party in various capacities. He thanked the outgoing executive members for an excellent work done over the last few years. He pointed out that the Branch helped to organize various party events which led to the election of one of our members, Hon. Kofi Emmanuel Buah, an MP for Ellembelle Constituency, who has been appointed as one of the Deputy Ministers for Energy.

Mr. Ben Mensah admonished some of the NPP opposition members who seem to be happy about the burning down of Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings’ residence. He went on to say that, it is a shame to all Ghanaians to read such degrading, maligning, unsubstantiated rumors and comments been passed around by some of the NPP supporters and sympathizers that, the Ex- President who was at the time of the incident, out of Accra, burnt down his own home. “It’s a shame and all well meaning Ghanaians must bow their heads in shame for some Ghanaians to say such things about a former President”, he said. Mr. Ben Mensah cautioned members of the NDC not to allow factions divide the party membership.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman – elect, Prof. Kwame Agyenim- Boateng, thanked his predecessor, Mr. Ben Mensah, and the previous Executives including himself and many of the new executives for their contributions to the party’s victory in the 2008 elections. He promised to work hard and to do the peoples’ work in humility and in truth. He thanked all present for their votes and support. He pledged to put in place positive agenda for the party in the coming months to help attract many new members. He expressed his outmost appreciation to the electoral committee Chairman, Mr.Kudjo Ave and his assistants Mr. Agbeko Kutu Godwin and Mr. Joseph Bentil for an outstanding free and fair election. Inducting the new executives into office, one of the Washington Metro branch chaplains, Rev. Kwamena Ainooson, prayed for God’s guidance and wisdom for the incoming executives and urged them to work in the fear of the Lord. He also prayed for the NDC Party as a whole and President J.E.A Mills in particular. He asked for God’s protection for Prof. Mills as he leads our people to a “Better Ghana”. A representative of the NDC-USA, Mr. Francis Ameyaw inducted the elected executives into office.

Source: Charles Kpodzo, (NDC Washington Metro Branch of NDC USA)