Ishmael Mensah Blog of Thursday, 26 December 2024
Source: Ishmael Mensah
Madam Juliana Akusika Nkegbe, the Women's Organizer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Asuogyaman seat, has attacked Pius Enam Hadzide harshly, holding him accountable for the party's dismal showing in the most recent parliamentary elections.
Pius Enam Hadzide, the NPP parliamentary candidate, received 21290 votes, or 44.94%, while incumbent NDC Member of Parliament Thomas Ampem Nyarko received 26,085 votes, or 55.06%.
Madam Juliana Nkegbe accused the former parliamentary candidate of destroying party unity and jeopardizing the integrity of the party's electoral processes during the party's primaries in order to gain an advantage, a statement that has exacerbated the already simmering tensions within the NPP in the constituency.
With the claimed help of the North Tongu women's organizer, she charged him with sneaking people into the register from the North Tongu and North Dayi constituencies.
She claimed that Mr. Hadzide had undue influence over the North Tongu women's organizer, thereby excluding and weakening the Asuogyaman executives.
She asserted that this action damaged the party's unity before the elections and incited animosity among local leaders.
Madam Nkegbe went on to accuse Mr. Hadzide of neglecting the majority of constituency executives in order to present a fragmented front before the elections. She claimed that this strategy greatly aided in the party's defeat and alienated important stakeholders.
Numerous party members have called for inquiries into these claims, raising concerns about the impartiality and openness of the election preparation procedures.
Asuogyaman's District Chief Executive (DCE), Mavis Opokua Akunnor, has also accused Okomfo Addo, the constituency secretary, of embezzling campaign funds intended for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's and Pius Enam Hadzide's "ways and means" operations.
This claim was made by the enraged DCE after a confrontation with several constituency executives following Pius Hadzide's loss in the elections held on December 7.
Okomfo Addo allegedly embezzled GH₵450, 000 that was allotted for campaign activities, according to the DCE, who also claimed that he postponed giving the money to voters while requesting more money.
"You were given GH₵4.5 billion (old cedis) at 8 a.m., but you refused to share it for hours at the Green Hotel, demanding payment of the remaining amount," she said.
Mavis Akunnor further charged Okomfo Addo with misappropriating and taking monies from the constituency account, as well as wasting funds intended for Dr. Bawumia's campaign.
"You were seen drinking at a bar near Goil on election day, at a crucial moment, rather than organizing for the party," she accused.
According to party insiders, this move might widen rifts inside the Asuogyaman constituency, making efforts at reconciliation more difficult.
To bring the constituency back together and repair trust, many have urged the national and regional leadership to act quickly.