... But Ntim falters in Brong Ahafo
THE hopes being nursed by Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor of becoming the next flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) after his brother, President John Agyekum Kufuor, gained grounds at the weekend when his men swooped all the nine positions at the Ashanti Regional Delegates? Congress in Kumasi.

That also signified a crushing victory for Steve Ntim because he beamed with joy when the results were announced, while the countenance of his challengers Mr. Mac Manu was did not betray any sign of disappointment or excitement, though it was immediately said that the 39 constituencies in the region were definitely not going to be dominated by the regional executives.

The men are Robert Owusu Amankwah (Chairman), Osei Assibey Antwi (First Vice Chairman), Dr. Osafradu Asubonteng (Second Vice Chairman), Sam Kofi Cudjoe (Secretary), Abed Atta Annor (Assistant Secretary) and John Patrick Atiemo (Treasurer) who went unopposed.

The rest are Ben Abdallah (Organizer), Kennedy Kankam (Youth Organizer) and Mary Brobbey for the Women?s Organizing position.

While Mr. Assibey Antwi is Dr. Addo Kufuor?s Special Aide in the Ashanti region, Mr. Attah Annor was and is still the Defence Minister?s Secretary and informant of developments in his Manhyia Constituency in Kumasi.

The others are underground men (apologies to Madam Brobbey) The Chronicle has gathered were strategically hand-picked to undertake campaign activities for Dr. Addo Kufuor towards his aspiration for the presidency.

No wonder this set of names won the election with greater margins of between 50-70 votes against their competitors or challengers.

Prior to the election, it was clear (even in the speech of Mr. George Ayisi-Boateng) to everyone at the cinema hall where voting took place that those names would carry the day.

There were specially made posters, which had the names and pictures of the newly elected officers of the Ashanti NPP swaggering to and fro in the election hall with the inscription ?the winning team.?

The names were said to have the support of President Kufuor and as a result, gave the delegates no other choice than to vote for them all.

Visible signs of joy beamed on the faces of Dr. Addo Kufuor and the NPP ?Bill Gates? ? Mr. Stephen Ayensu Ntim, who is also said to have presidential backing for the chairmanship slot of the NPP.

Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah a.k.a. Kofi Ghana, danced to some tunes in the aftermath of the declaration of the election results, alongside a few other Ministers and party gurus who had their favorites chosen.

Mr. Amankwah, who took the chairmanship position, secured 175 votes to beat his humbled challenger, Mr. George Ayisi-Boateng, who had a consolation 47 votes.

Even though the election was peaceful, Mr. Akwasi Boadu, owner of Millennium Plaza in Kumasi marred the beauty of the exercise.

He took the law into his own hands, and subjected a young Journalist of Hello FM, Samson Kwame Nyamekye to severe beatings with the assistance of his bodyguards.

Samson tasted the bitter side of life on the day, with four dirty slaps from this man who claimed to have sponsored the President with money during the 2000 and 2004 elections.