Ashanti Presiding Members Expose Alleged NDC Manipulation in Council of State Nominations

 A group of
Presiding Members in the Ashanti Region has raised serious concerns over what they describe as an unlawful attempt to manipulate the nomination process for the upcoming Ashanti Regional Council of State elections.

In a petition addressed to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) and the Electoral Commission (EC), the Presiding Members allege that some officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in collaboration with certain Coordinating Directors, are trying to submit unauthorized names instead of those officially nominated by the Assemblies.

According to the petitioners, this move is a direct violation of Article 89(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that two Assembly Members from each region be nominated by their respective Assemblies to serve as part of the Electoral College for the Council of State elections.

Demands for Immediate Action

To protect the integrity of the process and prevent constitutional breaches, the petitioners are calling on authorities to take urgent action by implementing the following measures:

  1. Reject Unapproved Nominations – Only nominees officially selected by the Assemblies, documented on letterheads, and signed by Coordinating Directors should be accepted.
  2. Verify Nominees with Presiding Members – The ARCC and EC should directly confirm the authenticity of nominees with their respective Presiding Members before accepting any submissions.
  3. Ensure Proper Coordination Where There is No Presiding Member – In cases where an Assembly lacks a Presiding Member, the Coordinating Director must consult elected Assembly Members to ensure a transparent and fair selection process.
  4. Hold Violators Accountable – Any official found manipulating or interfering with the nomination process should face strict sanctions.

Political Consequences if the Issue is Ignored

The petitioners warned that failure to rectify the situation could have serious political consequences, including the potential mass rejection of the President’s nominees for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Ashanti Region.

“This attempt to manipulate the selection process undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law. We urge the relevant authorities to take swift action to rectify this situation before it escalates,” the petition stated.

Key Presiding Members Behind the Petition

The petition has been signed by leading members of the Conference of Presiding Members in Ashanti, including:

  • Hon. Patrick Kwame Frimpong – Dean of Presiding Members, Ashanti (0244227222)
  • Hon. Anthony Kwame Nsiah – Vice Dean, Conference of Presiding Members, Ashanti (0244626417)
  • Hon. Isaac Osei-Duah – Secretary, Conference of Presiding Members, Ashanti (0242773020)
  • Hon. Augustine Kofi Adomako – Organizer, Conference of Presiding Members, Ashanti (0246653350)
  • Hon. Helena Mensah – Treasurer, Conference of Presiding Members, Ashanti (0244351362)
  • Hon. Nana Yaw Wiredu – Ashanti Regional NALAG Representative (0202335474)

Petition Copied to Key Authorities

The petition has been formally submitted to:

  • The Coordinating Director, Ashanti Region
  • The Director, Electoral Commission, Ashanti Region
  • All District Coordinating Directors, Ashanti Region

The Presiding Members reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the nomination process adheres to constitutional provisions and democratic principles. They are demanding immediate corrective measures to prevent further electoral irregularities and uphold the credibility of the Council of State elections.

With the elections fast approaching, all eyes are on the Electoral Commission and the ARCC to see how they address these serious allegations to maintain the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process.

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