24 FILE TO CONTEST NPP ELECTIONS IN UPPER WEST IPAGE 14, DEC 28)

TWENTY-four people from all the ethnic groups in the Upper West Region have filed their nominations to vie for the top positions of the regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Since the close of nominations last weekend, the race has become keener and more exciting with the contestants having their campaigns on the doorstep of would-be delegates.
Significantly, even though the NPP is not in power, this year’s race for the regional executive positions has attracted a lot of enthusiastic youth, many of whom have thrown their weight behind the various candidates and are even on their campaign trails, helping to sell the messages of the respective candidates to the delegates.
Tomorrow December 29, 2009, delegates numbering 204 drawn from members of TESCON and elders of the party in the region, and the candidates themselves, will come together to elect their representatives to lead the party in the coming years.
One of the positions which many expect to be very keenly contested is that of the regional chairman which the current indefatigable chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Abdul Rahman Short, a businessman, who has been able to win three parliamentary seats for the NPP in the region, is predicted by many to retain. He has two contenders, namely a former Ghana Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr Mogtari Sahanoon, and Mr Eddy Kaleonaa Tizzala, also a businessman.
For the position of first vice-chairman, a former Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Ismail Madah, a bursar Mr Bawah Bismark, and Mr Abubakari Bawa are contesting. To the pundits, it is a race in which any of the three candidates could carry the day.
For the second vice-chairman position, Mr Hafiz Bin Salih, who is presently the regional youth organiser, has been tipped to win the seat, taking into consideration his achievements as a youth organiser.
Mr Bin Salih is, therefore, enjoying massive support, especially from the youth. He is being challenged by a businessman, Mr David Kandoh.
Subsequently, the seat of the incumbent Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Abu Tamah Tony, which has been described as one of the hottest seats in the region also has very competent and affable members of the NPP rubbing shoulders.
They are the incumbent Secretary, Mr Tamah Tony, a former special assistant in former President Kufuor’s administration and currently a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS); Mr Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen and Mr Yussif Yakubu Sungumo, an accounts clerk at the Islamic Hospital in Wa.
The race is, however, said to be between Mr Engmen and Mr Tamah Tony. Messrs Mumuni Baba Seidu and Nankpa A. Osman are also contesting the Assistant Secretary positions in an all-educationists affair.
Following closely in the race is the position of Regional Organiser in which Messrs Abraham Bankpanla, Angmaawine Siita and Edward Dombo, an administrative assistant, the current Assistant Regional Secretary and an educationist respectively are challenging each other.
All the candidates are said to be well on the ground and, therefore, none of them is taking things for granted.
For the women, there are only two options, which are to either endorse Madam Helen Bangonluuri, who is the incumbent Women’s Organiser or introduce Madam Martha Kumbal to continue from where Madam Bangonluuri would leave off.
The Regional Youth Organiser and treasurer positions have six men who have over the years supported the NPP and worked in many capacities to ensure the growth of the party in the region. The include Messrs Mustapha Dimah Govier, a businessman; Mujeeb Rahman and Mr Issahaque Murtada, all educationists, while Mr Dudu Philip, an accounts clerk; Mr Salifu Waah, a former DCE, and Mr Issahaque Tiffere, a student, are also going for the position of Treasurer.