Bamba and Edumadze to vie for NPP national organiser position

Two stalwarts of the NPP have declared their intention to run for the position of National Organiser, with four months to go for the party to elect new executives. Former Central Regional Minister Isaac Edumadze and Alhaji Mucta Bamba who served in the office of the former vice-president say they are the right candidates to take over the organisation of the party. They will however have to unseat the incumbent Lord Commey, if he thus decides to run. The two men together with other interested candidates have begun intense lobbying and campaigning using the just ended party conference as their platform. Joy News’ Bernard Saibu who was present at the conference ground could not turn a blind eye to the visible campaigning by the prospective candidates. He said hand bills and posters were splattered all over the campaign ground, as the candidates were seen openly courting delegates. Isaac Edumadze in an interview with Saibu said his organizational ability is without blemish. "In 2004 when the NPP won 16 seats through me, they won. In 2008 when the NPP lost 9 seats without me, they lost,” he said. His challenger, Bamba touted his credentials as a loyal party man who served under different leaders since 1979. Both men however made the headlines for some wrong reasons during the reign of Mr. J.A Kufuor and do have more convincing to do when the party officially opens nominations. Whilst Bamba was accused of fraudulently using letter heads of the then Vice-president, Edumadze was accused of arbitrariness. Two young men, Haruna Mahama, a Journalist and a student leader, as well as Stephen Amoah have also expressed their intention to vie for the position of the National Youth Organiser. Mahama said he is the most experienced of all the emerging candidates, adding, he was the youngest delegate in the 1992 conference that elected Presidential Candidate Prof. Adu Boahene. He was 17 years at the time. But Amoah said he intends to coordinate and create opportunities for the youth in the party if elected. A private legal practitioner, Owusu Afriyie, said he is ready to take over the mantle as General Secretary of the party. More candidates are expected to declare their intention to vie for the various positions as the date for the elections draws closer. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana