Story by Yaaba Yamikeh, Takoradi
Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ellembelle Constituency have urged the party’s Western Regional Vetting Committee to dismiss a petition seeking the disqualification of former Ellembelle District Chief Executive, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, from contesting the position of Regional Secretary.
The executives argued that disqualifying Mr. Bonzoh over claims that he lacks the required first-degree qualification would undermine the party’s electoral prospects in the Western Region, particularly in the three Nzema constituencies.
Addressing a press conference in Takoradi on Tuesday after the two-day vetting exercise, the executives described Mr. Bonzoh as a key figure in the NPP’s political fortunes in Nzemaland.
“Kwasi Bonzoh is the pillar and face of the NPP in Nzemaland. Disqualifying him will seriously affect the party’s electoral fortunes in the area,” they said.
Indispensable figure
The executives maintained that Mr. Bonzoh’s leadership as Ellembelle DCE for eight years and his 16-year service as the party’s parliamentary candidate have made him indispensable to the party’s campaign efforts in the Nzema area.
They warned that the NPP would struggle to mount an effective campaign in Ellembelle and the wider Nzema enclave without his active involvement, and called on the vetting committee to act in the broader interest of the party by rejecting the petition.
According to them, the NPP, now in opposition, requires dynamic and transformational regional leaders to reclaim lost parliamentary seats ahead of the 2028 general elections, adding that Mr. Bonzoh has pledged to spearhead an “Operation Recapture All Lost Seats” campaign if elected Regional Secretary.
Anonymous elements
Reports circulating at the vetting venue suggested that an anonymous party member had petitioned the committee, alleging that Mr. Bonzoh did not possess the academic qualification required for the position. Some party supporters speculated that the petition was politically motivated, although no evidence was presented to support the claims.
Ellembelle Constituency Chairman, Mr. Jacob Kwofie, described the petition as “unacceptable” and said the constituency executives would resist any attempt to remove Mr. Bonzoh from the race.
Unfounded allegations
He said Mr. Bonzoh had presented copies of his academic transcripts and other documents from the University of Ghana to the vetting committee, insisting that the allegations against him were unfounded.
Mr. Kwofie urged the committee to conduct its work strictly in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines, free from external influence, and also appealed to the party’s national leadership to disregard any recommendation seeking Mr. Bonzoh’s disqualification.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Western Regional Vetting Committee, Mrs. Gifty Eugenia Kusi, said the two-day exercise was successful.
She disclosed that 31 party members picked nomination forms to contest 11 regional executive positions, while 30 eventually filed their nominations.
Mrs. Kusi appealed to all aspirants to conduct issue-based campaigns and avoid insults and mudslinging. She, however, declined to comment on the petition involving Mr. Bonzoh.
