By Prince Acquah
Ajumako (C/ R), Oct. 24, GNA – Professor Jonathan Annan, the incumbent Chairman of the National Democratic Congress in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency was retained unopposed by the party in Saturday’s constituency elections, making his retention for another term a walk in the park.
Like the chairmanship race, eight other positions were uncontested, leaving only five positions to be contested.
The contested positions were Secretary, Organiser, Treasurer, Communication Officer and Deputy Youth Organiser.
Mr Joseph Kojo Mensah polled 858 votes to win the Secretary position, defeating Mr Evans Mensah who garnered 624 votes in the heated contest held at the Ajumako campus of the University of Education, Winneba.
Mr Obed Kojo Ninchi garnered 845 votes to secure the Communication Officer position, beating his sole contender, Mr Ebenezer Sarpong who polled 642.
In a three-horse race for the Deputy Youth Organiser position, which is for a selected few to vote, the incumbent, Mr Samuel Biney Acquah emerged victorious with 65 votes, while his opponents, Mr Alex Appiah Quansah and Mr James Markus Otabil, respectively polled 44 and 42 votes.
Madam Rebecca Buckman polled 830 votes to win as Treasurer, while her contender, Mr Gabriel Amoanoo secured 699 votes.
For the organiser position, it was a landslide victory for Mr Lawrence Arthur after he polled 910 votes as against Mr Christopher Mensah’s 576.
For the uncontested positions, Emmanuel Essel became Vice Chairman, Madam Mayfred Adarkwa, Women’s Organiser, Madam Joyce Aguakon, Deputy women organiser, Mr Benjamin Asiedu, Youth Organiser, and Mr Richard Essel, Deputy Treasurer.
Also, Alhaji Musa Sulleyman was elected Zongo Caucaus Coordinator; Eric Wisdom Tekyi, Deputy Secretary and Mr Thompson, Deputy Communication Officer.
In his victory speech, Prof Annan pledged to work with all elected executives to secure an even bigger victory for the party in the 2028 general election, touting the quality of the party’s leadership.
”In 2024, we won with 22,000 difference but this time, we are going to 30,000. For our constituency, the New Patriotic Party is almost dying,’ he said.
The election was generally peaceful; however, the counting of votes was temporarily disrupted by heavy rains.
The rains started abruptly while counting was underway in an open space, forcing electoral officers, aspirants and their agents to seek shelter in a hall at the Ajumako Campus of the University of Education, Winneba, where the election was held under heavy security protection.
The situation was compounded by a power outage which compelled electoral officers to rely on rechargeable lamps and mobile phone torches.
Under heavy police protection, counting resumed successfully after about 20 minutes.
Prof. Annan called for peace and unity among all aspirants and their supporters to build a stronger party in the constituency.
”Our constituency has been known as one of the best constituencies in terms of leadership and so I don’t expect that there will be situations where there would be disunity,” he said, entreating all other constituencies to maintain unity.
He expressed satisfaction with the electoral process and commended all stakeholders for playing their role diligently.
Mr Kweku Sarpong, an aspirant for the Communication Officer position, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process but said it would have been better if all positions had been uncontested.
He was hopeful that the party would continue to dominate the constituency in decades to come.
”Our constituency is gradually becoming an NDC Constituency because of hard work and so don’t be deceived that there is going to be a wind of change in this constituency.
”The wind will continue to blow for the NDC and in every election, we shall win,’ he added.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Linda Asante Agyei