Stephen Ayesu Ntim has finally been chosen as the National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party after 20 years of setbacks, heartaches, and, as he himself described it, "wandering in the political desert" (NPP).
Immediately after winning by a landslide at the party's National Annual Delegates Conference over the weekend at the Accra Sports Stadium, he said: "The new national leadership would work assiduously to win the 2024 elections."
With 4,014 votes, Mr. Ntim, who had previously failed to win the job four times in a row, defeated his nearest rival, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, by an enormous 3,004 votes.
Sammy Crabbe, Gifty Asantewa Ayeh, alias Daavi Ama, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, and Akwasi Osei-Adjei, the other five candidates for chairperson, received votes totaling 294, 44, 32, 101, and 20, respectively.
Boadu is swept up in a "tornado"
Despite the fact that 15 of the NPP's 16 regional chairmen openly endorsed John Boadu before to the election, a political cyclone toppled him from his position as general secretary.
He received 2,524 votes, falling short of Justin Frimpong Kodua, CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), who received 2,837 votes, to win the job.
The former NPP writer, who had been largely predicted to win and gain a second term, received a classic "fear delegates" blow.
Three candidates split the remaining prizes in the race for general secretary: Iddrisu Musah Superior received 104 votes, Frederick Opare-Ansah received 50, and Ramseyer Agyemang Prempeh received 8.
Ntim's travels
Mr. Ntim, a former NPP First Vice-Chairman, had been trying for the previous 20 years to get elected to the party's highest office without success.
This time, it seemed that his message of forging a strong NPP to triumph in the 2024 elections and his persistent pursuit of the national leadership had persuaded the delegates to give him the post.
A happy Mr. Ntim entered the room after the ceremony wearing only white clothing and a ribbon in the NPP's colours around his neck. Assurance
In allusion to the curse that prevents either of the two major political parties from ever obtaining a third term in government, he reassured the party faithful of the resolve of the new national leadership to work hard for the NPP to win the 2024 elections and "break the 8".
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were present at the event. He promised the group that the new national leadership will work diligently to help the party win the 2024 elections.
The jubilant new NPP National Chairman remarked about the significant contributions made by his campaign team, party members, and delegates in order to secure the victory.
I'm appreciative that the party as a whole and my supporters gave me a special 64th birthday present. Obtaining this position required 20 years of wilderness exploration. I can guarantee you that I will treasure, value, and ensure that the chairperson is a special and coveted position, he stated.
Elections
There were 47 candidates vying for eight national executive posts, and 6,730 delegates cast their votes to fill them.
The First and Second National Vice-persons, National Organiser, National Women's Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Treasurer, and National Nasara Coordinator were the other national posts available for election in addition to the two top positions of National Chairman and General Secretary.
The delegates included party officials from the constituency, region, and nation; metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives (MMDCEs); NPP MPs; ministers of state; representatives from the party's foreign wing; and NPP National Council members.
The conference started last Friday, but the elections took place last Saturday from around 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., were counted and tallied, and the results were announced at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday.
Additional elected officials
The election of the three vice-chairpersons caused significant difficulty, and the results had to be tallied three times because of disagreements.
In the end, Rita Talata Asobayire received 2,927 votes to win the position of Second Vice-Chairperson, Danquah Smith Buttey received 2,982 votes to win the position of First Vice-Chairperson, and Alhaji Masawudu Osman received 2,128 votes to win the position of Third Vice-Chairperson.
Henry Nana Boakye defeated Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover in the race for national organiser with 2,870 votes to 2,274 votes.
Seth Adu Adjei received 25, Bright Essilfie Kumi 137, Eric Amoako Twum 185, and Nana Owusu Fordjour 44 votes.
With 620 votes, Kate Gyamfua was re-elected as the National Women's Organiser. Hajia Sawudata came in second place with 32 votes, while Ellen Ama Daaku received nine votes.
Salam Mohammed Mustapha won the election for National Youth Organiser with 255 votes, beating out Abanga Fuseini Yakubu in second place with 153 votes, Michael Osei Boateng in third place with 120 votes, and Prince Kamal Gumah in fourth place with 101 votes.
With 2,917 votes, Dr. Charles Dwamena easily defeated Mary Posch Oduro (1,303 votes), Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah (1,197 votes), and Dr. Yusif Tedam (125 votes), taking the position of National Treasurer.
With 328 votes, Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa gained re-election as the National Nasara Coordinator. Haruna Ishmael received 199 votes, Awal Mohammed received 24, Sulemana Alhassan Atakpo received 9, Haruna Maiga received 5, and Abdul-Muazu Kunata received 2, in that order.