Source: Vida Yeboah, Chicago
- Mr. Ebenezer Jared Ekumah, a.k.a Asonaba, is the new chairman of the branch
- NDC USA Elections scheduled for the first week of December 2022
- National congress in Ghana on December 17, 2022.
Following a directive from the Functional Executive Committee, FEC, that gave approved guidelines to all Branches and Chapters of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, in the diaspora to hold elections within the next three months, the Chicago branch has taken the lead in the USA.
The elections took place at 5500 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The vetting committee comprised Dr. Mark Kutame, outgoing chairman of the branch; Mr. Steve Dei, NDC USA Secretary, and Mr. Paul Sogbe, former chairman of the branch. After being properly vetted and cleared, the following were elected unopposed for a 4-year term. They are:
- Ebenezer Jared Ekumah, popularly called Asonaba, Chairman
- Frederick Agyeman, Secretary
- Daniel Assem, Treasurer
- Nana Yaw Bosman, Youth Organizer and
- Diana Darko, women Organizer.
Illiasu Tamanjah agreed to continue as a caretaker Communications Officer.
Executive positions called OTHER are non-portfolio members of the administrative body. For example, Dr. Mark Kutame, former chairman of the branch, will serve as a non-portfolio member of the executive body.
The only vacant position is the organizer. The chairman will also act as the branch organizer until an election is held to fill the position.
The elections were free and fair. The electoral commissioner, Mr. Godwin Asanga, following the guidelines of FEC, declared the candidates elected unopposed after going through the vetting documents. Cobby Boahene, former chairman of the branch, swore the executives into office.
The new chairman, Ebenezer Jared Ekumah, thanked Dr. Kutame for his astute and dedicated leadership, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He thanked the branch members for the confidence reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them. He also expressed his gratitude to Cobby Boahene for his understanding, knowledge, and willingness the share his opinions and ideas willingly. Finally, he sounded off with glorious gratitude to Diana Darko for her selfless services to the branch over the years.
The outgoing chairman, Dr. Kutame, also thanked members of the branch for their unyielding support during his tenure. He promised to assist the new administration.
The Secretary of the NDC, USA Chapter, Steve Dei, confessed he was not optimistic that the elections would come on due to the challenge of getting contestants to stand. However, in the end, he thanked the branch members, especially Dr. Kutame, for pulling it out. Steve advised that other branches in the USA should be able to emulate Chicago’s success. He said the Chapter elections are slated for the first week of December 2022. He concluded that the date and venue would be communicated soon.
The NDC Party generally elects about 7,900 executives in 876 constituencies, regional and national elections. The Party has about 29,000 branches across the country and in the diaspora.
Per the guidelines of the current elections, the Party will hold its Constituency elections between October 22 and 23, 2022, while the regional elections will be held between November 12 and 13, 2022. Finally, the National Congress concludes all the polls on December 17, 2022.
