NDC youth lock-up DCE

Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC Chairman

Following his refusal to succumb to the pressures of his party members, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ahafo Ano South in the Ashanti Region, Thomas Kwakwa, has incurred the wrath of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth in the area.

NDC youth last Friday, July 30, 2010 reportedly locked up the main entrance to the office of the chief executive with six-inch nails.

The irate youth, according to reports, also sent out a clear message to Mr. Kwakwa that he was no longer needed in district office.

Not even the presence of the police in the area could scare the irate youth as they bluntly told the police it was a purely an internal party matter.

The NDC youth alleged that the DCE has been holding constant meetings with members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), and has failed to grant NDC members audience whenever they call on him at his office.

The Constituency Youth Organiser, Rauf Rahman, in an interview with Today noted that Mr. Kwakwa deceived the constituency executives to the effect that he had bought an auctioned car to help the party’s operations in the constituency, and that he will make available the car anytime.

According to Rahman, what irked them the more was the fact that the DCE compared himself to President Mills at the least opportunity that he got to address party supporters, an act the youth described as “very insulting”.

“When we said he did nothing for the party while we were in opposition, he insultingly said the president also did nothing for the party, but his hands were raised at Swedru for us all to support him so why were we bothering him.

…We felt it was so insulting and asked him to retract and render an unqualified apology on the same radio station he made the statement but he refused to do so,” the Youth Organiser angrily said.

Rauf Rahman alleged that the DCE was immoral since his own uncle impressed upon the assembly members in the district not to vote to confirm him as the DCE when he was nominated by the president.

He said several letters had been written to regional and national executives and meetings held, but the Mr. Kwakwa was yet to change his attitude towards them.

Even though they reiterated that they were not demonstrating but were only trying to resolve an intra-party misunderstanding, the youth threatened to bury the DCE alive if tries to come to the office today.

“He should remain in Accra for the president to give him another job but if he dares return here we will bury him,” they youth threatened amid hurling of insults at him.

The District Police Commander Assistant Superintendent Vitus Napen, during the protest said their gathering was unlawful and demanded their dispersal, but they refused and this led to the arrest of the constituency youth organiser and one Abdul Rahim, the Constituency Propaganda Secretary.

STORY: FROM JAMES APPIAKORANG JNR., MANKRASO