Despite facing serious internal challenges which is threatening its cohesion ahead of the 2016 elections, The aL-hAJJ’s investigations have uncovered that the opposition New Patriotic Party is making inroads in the over 1000 Zongos across the country.
Information gathered by this paper from sources in the various Zongos indicates that the NPP is using its Nasara coordinators across the country to gain grounds in Muslim dominated communities that have originally been safe haven for the governing National Democratic Congress since 1992.
Reports are that the NPP, led by its National Nasara Coordinator, Kamal-Deen Abdulai, and 2016 running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have capitalized on the ruling government’s inability to fulfill some of its campaign promises to the Zongo communities and are infiltrating youth groups of the NDC.
In furtherance to plans to make incussions into the Zongos, the 2016 flag bearer of NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the Zongo community to have confidence in his ability to turn the fortunes of the nation around and vote massively for him come December 7, next year.
“We will make judicious use of the nation’s resources to benefit everyone,” he told the Zongo Chief of Koforidua, Ali Kruibi III, his elders and teeming Zongo youth who had thronged the chief’s palace to welcome him and his entourage during the “Rise and Build” tour of the Eastern region.
Some NDC members in the Zongo communities, worried about the development, narrated to The aL-hAJJ how some of the youths who felt “used and dumped” have decamped to the NPP are convincing other NDC members to do same.
A branch executive of the ruling party in the Abuakwa municipality narrated to this paper how the attitude of some constituency executives have succeeded in pushing some NDC activists to join the NPP.
Below is an unedited report a branch executive of the NDC sent to The al-hAJJ, “To start with am a member of our great party NDC and there are some issues rising if care is not taken it will be a big blow for our party in this coming election. Alhaji in north Abuakwa constituency in which I reside, some organized group of NDC members who are not happy with the party and it executives as to how the youth has been neglected in terms of support and aid from their own party.
With regards to this, they are planning to throw their support to Bawumia believing that he is a Muslim brother and willing to help them. Personally I was also contacted to join but I am a branch executive member I can't fold my hand see this happening to my part.
Their concern was that even I been the branch executive member have been sidelined how much more them. I tried my possible best to convince them to stick to the party but to no avail. This is now beyond me and I am pleading to you to tell our big men to come to our aid pls. Alhaji, do you know that since 1992 NPP has never won in new Tafo zongo.
But looking at what is happing now if care is not taking that record will be broken in this coming general election 2016 as it stands now there are more than 200 youth which I believe 95% of them are NDC supporters, they are trying hard to persuade others that NDC has nothing to offer them and that they should support Bawumia. Alhaji I am on my knees, pls came to our aid so we can win the heart of this people Thank u for your time am still counting on u once again thank u Alhaji salamualiakum.”
The aL-hAJJ’s office has been inundated with similar disturbing situation from areas such as Kumasi, Sekondi, Nsawam, Ashaiman, Nima, Twifo Praso, Goaso, Yeji and indeed, most of the Zongo communities in the country. Their story is no different from what the gentleman from Abuakwa has stated.
Reports coming from the Ashanti region indicate that more than 200 NDC youth at Sawaba, a suburb of Kumasi have crossed carpet to the NPP.
Speaking to Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Si Mi So on Kasapa FM, the leader of the group, Sadat Abubakar, stated that after seven years of the Mills-Mahama administration in power, the government is unable to lay claim to any program that has impacted positively on the welfare of ordinary Ghanaian, adding that Ghana is still surviving on the legacies of ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor.
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