If any Ghanaian would want to live in the illusion that the districts assembly elections are not based on political partisanship then he might actually need political lenses to see that it is rather the opposite. Our information from a credible source in the NDC is that the ruling party has given Ghc. 7,000.00 for each electoral area in all the ten regions in the country. The money, according to our source was given to their candidates contesting districts assembly elections through the NDC members of parliament; and in some constituencies the money was given to the MMDCEs on Friday 13^th February. In addition, Ghc. 2,000.00 was made available as compensation for those who have been asked to step down for popular candidates. Meanwhile, there is vicious tension between the MPs and the MMDCEs in some constituencies as to who should be asked to step down for the other.

 In Central region for instance, most of the NDC MPs have their preferred candidates against that of the MMDCEs. In Agona East the tension is between the MP, Maama Pokua’s choice and the former DEC, Obeng Luther/Mr. Kwamena Ahwio’s choice. Agona West friction within the NDC is about the preferred candidates of the MP, Lawyer Obeng and the MCE, Samuel Oppong. The situation is not different in almost all the constituencies including Gomoa Central and West, Effutu, Awutu Sanya West and East, Cape Coast Municipal, Twifu Hemang, Lower Denkyira and Twifu Praso. As at Tuesday 17^th February, our checks show that money for NDC candidates in Gomoa Central are yet to be shared due to the seemingly confusion brewing there.

In their strongholds, especially in the Volta region, the MPs started sharing the moneys to their candidates on Sunday February 15 in almost every constituency except Nkwanta North, Central Tongu and North Dayi constituencies. In the Ashanti region, money was to be shared by the Regional Minister, Hon. Sarpong through all the MMDCEs in the region. Greater Accra region money was reported to have been given to the MPs and MMDCEs at the NDC’s new party headquarters at Adabraka on the Monday February 16 around 4:00pm. However, some MPs were not informed about the sharing of the money due to some undercurrent conflict between them and the Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Mr. Joseph Ade Coker.  

Our authentic report indicates other MPs in the three Northern Regions, Brong Ahafo, Western and Eastern regions began sharing their moneys from Saturday February 21 in their respective constituencies.

Chris Arthur

National President

Students Network for Nana Akufo-Addo