Crisis Hits Ketu South NDC

AS THE battle for the Ketu South parliamentary seat between the incumbent Albert Zigah and Fifi Kwetey, the Deputy Finance Minister gets tougher, information reaching Daily Guide from the NDC camp in the area indicates that constituency and party executives are worried especially since many of their youth are defecting to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The situation according to a source close to the constituency executives is causing fear and panic among leaders of the NDC in the area who are feverishly lobbying and meeting the defectors to urge them to reconsider their decision. An NDC ward coordinator in the area told Daily Guide on condition of anonymity that �our members are not just defecting; they are actually paying GH�10.00 to register with the NPP office in the area.� He added that the areas affected include Tublukope, Adidotoe, Kopeyia, Agblepui, Huieme-Agodorme and Wudoaba. �So far about 100 people have defected from our party and just a few days ago I heard information of another huge number defecting,� he lamented. He added that the Ketu South constituency executives had been given a letter to that effect. More so, copies of the said correspondence have been made to the District Chief Executive, Bernard Amable, MP for the area Albert Zigah, Fiifi Kwetey, Deputy Finance Minister and one Raphael Alorwu, a strong NDC activist in the area. One of the defectors, Sheyi Abotsi confirmed that he had personally convinced and registered 35 people as at last week. Mr. Abotsi who has contested for the position of assembly member twice noted that since he joined the NDC in 1992, the party has not shown any seriousness towards the area�s development. He complained about the slow pace at which the Denu-Aflao road started by the NPP government is being constructed under the NDC saying �the NDC has nothing to offer Ghanaians.� He said the decision to defect had motivated other party youth to make the same move. He noted; �there are more people coming, let them wait and see.� Another defector told the paper they joined the NPP because of the NDC�s numerous unfulfilled promises. They claimed the NDC had proven that they represented nothing more than a bunch of unreliable politicians who were only interested in gaining power for their own enrichment. One of them said; �NDC thinks we are fools. They are just taking us for a ride and now we are tired and decided to get off the bus that is leading us backwards.� They alleged the party promised to build new classroom blocks for them and also extend power to their communities yet the situation is still the same, two years after the NDC took office. DAILY GUIDE�S checks with NPP Constituency Secretary, Samuel Haligah in Ketu North revealed that as at last Friday about 120 defectors had been registered. He said information available from his polling station executives has it that more NDC members are trooping in to be registered. The Volta Regional NPP Youth Organizer, Enoch Amegbletor for his part, says not surprised at the trend and that very soon other constituencies throughout the region will be affected by what he called an �Exodus to the Promise land.� He said policies, programs and promises made by the Mills-Mahama administration were not favorable to the youth especially the unemployed. Mr. Amegbletor added that poor economic policies and increased taxes coupled with the bad road network and transportation system in the region had crippled many businesses in the area and worsened living conditions for residents. He noted that people in the Volta region have now realized that the NPP is the only party that has the region at heart and that it was only under the Kufuor administration that the region had its fair share of development. Mr. Amegbletor urged the new party members not to be perturbed by intimidations and confrontations from their former colleagues and encouraged them to stand by their decision and shore more commitment till NPP wrestles power back from the NDC.