Dr Samuel Sarpong, the erstwhile Ashanti Regional Minister has described as “strategic” and “timely”, the withdrawal of his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama, earlier this month.
He was relieved of his duty together with his Deputy, Mr. Joseph Yamin for reasons the President did not disclose, however sources say it may have been triggered by weakening relation between the Minister and his deputy.
Speaking at an inauguration of various committees of the Central Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cape Coast, Dr. Sarpong described circumstances surrounding his dismissal as a manifestation of the biblical saying that “a prophet is not accepted in his own town”.
He hinted that he was returning to the Central Region with full force to help “Kick Down” the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 elections, although he did not state in which capacity.
Dr. Sarpong, who is a member of the Communication Committee, expressed gratitude to the Region for acknowledging his efforts and called on members of the committees to work diligently to win not just all the 26 constituencies in the Region but 90 percent of votes.
He gave the assurance that Government would fix the current energy crisis and expressed confidence that, with that achievement and the numerous developmental projects being undertaken in the country, the NDC would be retained in government.
He urged other regional branches to take a cue from the Central Region and bring together all its members, former executives, and all experienced members and others who lost primaries, to work towards victory in the 2016 general elections.
Mr. Bernard Allotey Jacobs, the Central Regional Chairman of the Party praised Dr. Sarpong for promoting unity in the branch during his tenure as the Central Regional Minster, adding that, “If the Ashanti Region doesn’t like him, we do”.
He said the party was poised to win the 2016 general elections and as such will not leave any stone unturned especially in winning all 26 constituencies in the Region.
He said as part of plans to achieve this vision, the party was hunting for all experienced politicians in the Party to serve as commanders and help the regional executive body, adding that “politics is by experience”.
The Committees, made up of a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 35 depending on its responsibilities, included the Political Committee chaired by Ebenezer Kodwo Teye Addo, former Central Regional Minister, and Communication Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Spio Garbrah.
Others are the Constitutional and Legal Committee chaired by Mr. Gustav Addington, a legal practitioner, Women’s Working Wing Committee headed by Mrs. Faustina Nelson and the Organisation Committee headed by Samuel Graham Wilberforce, a building contractor.
The Rest are Research Committee chaired by Dr. Kofi Nyarko, Head of Geography Department of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Finance Committee headed by Mr. Ernest Nana Kwasie, a businessman and Youth Working Wing Committee presided by Dr. Awuah Nyamekye, Senior Lecturer at UCC.
In December last year, the branch inaugurated the Conflict Resolution and Disciplinary Committees under the chairmanship of Dr. Joseph Nuertey, and Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Teye Addo respectively.
