A scuffle between Konkomba youths over the shortlisted candidates gave the race for the Nkwanta North District’s District Chief Executive post an intriguing turn.
Some of the young people thought Konkombas had been left out of the process, while others supported the three shortlisted applicants.
For the Oti Region, 14 candidates were selected to be considered for the post of District Chief Executive.
Some Konkomba youth strongly objected to the list, claiming that their tribesmen who submitted nominations were disregarded and unfairly treated.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives led the group, which criticized the vetting committee headed by Oti Regional Minister John Kwadwo Gyapong for failing to shortlist any of the 17 Konkombas who applied to be the MDCE for the area.
Speaking to the media, Gideo Bilinyi, the Deputy Communications officer for the Nkwanta North NDC, charged that Mr. Gyapong was behind a malicious plot against Konkombas because he was heard on a widely circulated tape expressing his disapproval of the appointment of Konkombas-descended individuals to public positions.
We heard Mr. Gyapong say “so, when you are talking about Oti, for me, to talk about Konkombas, I will talk about Ewes. You think of the Konkombas, no, trust the Ewes because they dominate”, hence his vilification when all 17 Konkombas were not shortlisted in the MDCEs race.
A different group, however, feels that the committee conducted adequate research and gave each applicant a fair chance and hearing before selecting the best candidates for further consideration.
Ernest Lagsah, a spokesperson, emphasized that John Oti Bless, a member of parliament from Nkwanta North, tried to persuade the committee to shortlist his favorite, but other committee members turned him down.
“Hon. John O.K Bless attempted to corrupt the process by compromising on standards laid for the committee. He insisted on his choice; thus, Mr. Anthony Kwesi Ntefui, who performed woefully during the process was included in the list. However, the committee disagreed hence he resorted to inciting his thugs to accuse the Regional Minister of bias against Konkombas”, he said when addressing the press in Kpassa.
He urged President Mahama to select a qualified candidate to lead the Nkwanta North District, insisting that each of the shortlisted candidates deserves the position equally.
“If His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama finds them [shortlisted applicants] worthy, we encourage him to appoint any of them as our District Chief Executive in fulfillment of the provisions of the constitution and his promise to ensure balance in his appointments”, he said
