Volta NDC Splits

As the National delegates congress of the governing NDC approaches, supporters in the Volta region, are split over two of the leading candidates for the chairmanship position: NADMO Boss ,Kofi Portuphy and Incumbent Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei. The different camps coming from the home region of Dr Adjei, gives a glimpse of the tough choices NDC faces as they confront the challenge of growing division within their ranks. Over the past week, two groups have issued statements condemning each other and also indicating who in their view should chair the NDC. The Volta Regional NDC Youth For Action, a group supporting Kofi Portuphy in their maiden statement called on NDC Delegates in the Volta region to reject incumbent Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei. According to them the challenge ahead of the party requires a selfless and serious individual to preside over its affairs. The group said they are confident that with Mr. Portuphy, NDC will surely win the next election. �The Youth have realized that this time around, the NDC will need more forceful elements who can reorganize the party and build it into a formidable party. But in equally combative terms, the Volta Action, pro Kwabena Adjei group have strongly condemned those they say are on a tangent of destroying the former Biakoye MP. The achievement of Dr Adjei according to the group is enormous and unprecedented. �His successful effort to unify this dear party led to the victory of the NDC and can visibly been seen by all and sundry�, said Mawunyo Agbe, leader of the group. Under the leadership of Dr Adjei the NDC has won two election, Mr Agbe noted and expressed the confidence that party delegates will consider this in the upcoming congress. Party insiders consider the two as the most serious contenders. � I�ll fall out of my chair if it�s not one of the two, said a former senior minister under late president Mills. They�re all qualified, that�s the good news, said one MP from Volta region, who seemed less enthusiastic about Dr Adjei�s third term bid. �We obviously need a chairman who is ready to chair the party than we have now�. Political observers are predicting a tough campaign for the incumbent chairman. Dr Kwabena Adjei with the support of all the power brokers in the party defeated Dr Obed Asamoah in 2005 and retained the seat in 2010 in Tamale. A member of the national executive who spoke to this paper said Dr Adjei no longer have the support of the power brokers who made it possible for his victory. Former Local government minister Ofosu Ampofo and former General Secretary Huudu Yahaya are all said to be interested in the chairmanship race.