The newly elected constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Afigya Sekyere East were sworn into office on Tuesday, July 14, despite lingering controversy over the legitimacy of the constituency elections, which were disrupted by violence and resulted in the arrest of seven people.
The 10-member executive team, led by newly elected Constituency Chairman Kwaku Ofosu, took the oath of office administered by the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The inauguration followed Sunday’s constituency elections, which were temporarily suspended after violence erupted at the polling centre.
The disturbance prompted a police intervention, leading to the arrest of seven individuals, including NPP activist Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah. Voting later resumed under heavy security and concluded peacefully.
However, the legitimacy of the election has been challenged by the party’s Acting National Chairman, who described the process as “illegal” in an interview with Kwame Tanko on Lawson FM in Kumasi.
According to him, he had personally written to the constituency directing that the elections should not be held due to legitimate concerns raised by some members of the party’s Elections Committee (EC).
Despite the objections, the newly elected executives were officially sworn into office.
In his acceptance speech, Kwaku Ofosu pledged to unite the constituency and strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2028 general election.
“Our focus is unity, hard work and strengthening the party from the polling station level. We will work tirelessly to ensure the NPP returns to power in 2028,” he said.
He also appealed to party members to rally behind the leadership and support the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“As your chairman, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, wins the 2028 election, and I will need your support to ensure this vision is realised,” Ofosu stated.
He further urged party supporters to put the election dispute behind them and work together to improve the party’s electoral prospects.
Official results showed that Ofosu secured a decisive victory, polling 893 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Daniel Gyimah, who obtained 255 votes. Five ballots were rejected.
Addressing the gathering after the swearing-in ceremony, Chairman Wontumi congratulated the new executives and encouraged them to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation, party unity and organisational development, stressing that a strong constituency structure would be critical to the NPP’s bid to regain power in the 2028 general election.
Source: Source: www.kumasimail.com
