By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Nov. 09, GNA – Mr George Kofi Arthur, a former three-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi Central, has declared his intention to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Western Regional Chairmanship, promising to strengthen party structures through unity, discipline, technology and grassroots empowerment.
He said his vision was to transform the party’s organisational structures and build a more inclusive, accountable and sustainable regional organisation capable of achieving collective political success.
Mr Arthur, who served in Parliament from January 2005 to January 2017, said his leadership philosophy, captured under the theme, “From Addition to Multiplication,” was aimed at fostering unity and accelerating the party’s growth in the region.
His campaign, with the slogan “Experience to Excellence – The Right Choice,” draws on his parliamentary experience, professional background in engineering and education, and involvement in political organisation and public administration.
Mr Arthur said the Western Region required leadership capable of bringing together experienced party members, women, youth and grassroots activists to strengthen internal cohesion and enhance the party’s responsiveness to the needs of its members.
His educational background spans science, teacher education, engineering technology, governance and leadership.
Mr Arthur attended Asankragwa Senior High School before enrolling at the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong, where he obtained a Diploma in Education with a specialisation in Educational Technology.
Between 1999 and 2003, he studied at the University of Education, Winneba, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology, specialising in Electronics and Automotive Technology.
He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) between 2016 and 2018.
Mr Arthur said his academic and professional experiences had shaped his commitment to research, institutional development, professional administration and technology-driven party management.
Before entering Parliament, he taught at Daboase Junior High School from 1995 to 1999.
His professional experience also includes work with Toyota Ghana during and after his national service, electronics-related engagements with Anyasco Electronics in Kumasi, and involvement in infrastructure projects through Afrangua Construction Limited.
The projects reportedly include the Asankragwa-Sefwi Bekwai, Enchi-Elubo-Nzema, Bamiko-Tarkwa and Bibiani road corridors.
Mr Arthur entered Parliament in 2005 as MP for Amenfi Central and served three consecutive terms in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Parliaments of the Fourth Republic.
During his tenure, he chaired Parliament’s Select Committee on Defence and Interior, handling matters related to national security, defence policy and internal security.
He also served as Deputy Ranking Member of the Public Accounts Committee, contributing to parliamentary oversight of public expenditure and financial accountability.
His parliamentary assignments further included service on the Roads and Transport, Agriculture, Housing, Employment and Social Welfare, and Privileges Committees.
Mr Arthur said the experience gained in security, infrastructure, agriculture, public financial management and employment would guide his approach to party leadership and development advocacy in the Western region.
As part of his agenda, he proposed leadership training, mentorship, administrative development and capacity-building programmes for constituency and branch executives, with special attention to women and young people.
He also proposed establishing a Regional Research and Policy Unit and deploying digital systems to improve membership administration, communication, information management and performance monitoring across the region’s 17 constituencies.
Under a proposed welfare and economic empowerment programme, Mr Arthur said he would explore sustainable welfare initiatives, entrepreneurship training, professional development opportunities and the creation of a Regional Opportunity and Empowerment Desk to provide information on employment, scholarships and skills development.
He said his broader ambition was to build an NDC organisation in the Western region that moved beyond electoral mobilisation towards sustained institutional development, responsible leadership and constructive engagement with the region’s development priorities.
Mr Arthur, who is contesting on ballot number two, said his parliamentary experience, academic achievements and professional background positioned him to lead the party “from addition to multiplication” through unity, inclusion and collective progress.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/ Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-MensahÂ
[email protected]