As the clock ticks for the national vice-chairmanship race for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), 15 aspirants are leaving no stone unturned as they have intensified their campaign to win the hearts and minds of the over 3,600 delegates of the party.
There are six vice chair positions for the taking as the party’s constitution demands, and so far everything points to a close but fierce contest among all the aspirants.
At the balloting exercise held at the party’s headquarters in Accra recently, Mr Anthony K. Gyampo picked the first position on the ballot paper while Mr Max Cobbina Gomda, Anita De-Sosoo, Mr Martin Oheneba Atuahene Asamoah, and Alhaji Sanni Mohammed secured the second, third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Others are Mr Harry Zakour, Nana Kojo Toku, Dr Yahuza Mohammed Gomda, Mr Lee Ocran, Alhaji Said Sinare and Mr Ofosu-Ampofo Samuel picking the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th positions, respectively.
The rest are Mr Andrew Nii Okaikoi, Mrs Betty Nah-Akuyea Mould-Iddrisu, Mr Danny Adjei Anang and Lawyer (Alhaji) Mohammed Alhassan picking the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th positions respectively.
After months of hold-up, the NDC is set to organise the national executive elections ahead of keen presidential and parliamentary elections in 2016.
Lee Ocran
Mr Lee Ocran, who is believed to be one of the forerunners for the vice chairman position, said if elected, he would immediately work to introduce a strategic management of members’ expectation and aspirations as part of the broad corporate functions of the party.
In this regard, the former national vice-chairman of the party and the immediate past Minister of Education, said a desk officer would be solely responsible to manage this expectation and aspirations, which, he believes, would ultimately do away with despondency and apathy within the party.
“No party has done this and it will be a plus for the NDC as a social democratic party to do so,” he argued.
He also advised delegates, members, supporters and sympathisers of the party to remain disciplined as the party prepares for congress tomorrow and ultimately Election 2016.
The former high commissioner to South Africa believes this is the only way the NDC can survive efforts by opponents to divide their front.
Declaring his confidence in tomorrow’s contest, Mr Ocran said if the grass-roots did not feel that the centre or those at the helm of affairs were sacrificing for all, they would become disillusioned and disorganised.
Mr Ocran is flying on the crest wave of having chaired NDC’s last three manifesto committees in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Together with Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, he is credited to have authored the Social Democratic Agenda for Ghana, which is the philosophy of the NDC.
Betty Mould Iddrisu
Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, who is also highly tipped to win one of the six slots at stake, said she was committed to fighting the cause of women and the marginalised in society and would also showcase her grass-roots activism to help the NDC retain political power in 2016.
“So far, women issues are not being championed and it is very difficult for Ghanaian women to rise up the political ladder,” she stated and added that “contesting the position of the vice slot is a chance and an opportunity to serve the people in NDC as well as show my leadership qualities”.
Ofosu-Ampofo
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, otherwise known as ‘Bro Sammi Photo,’ the former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development under President John Evans Atta-Mills, said it was high time the party identified and honoured founder members and other hard-working personalities.
He said if voted as a vice chairman, he would vociferously table that suggestion for adoption and implementation.
He suggested that the awards should be held concurrently at the national, regional and constituency levels on June 10, which is the party’s birthday.
The other aspirants are making strong inroads and their efforts cannot be discounted.
