An aspirant contesting for the position of Deputy Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region, Abass Adams has rejected his disqualification by the party’s regional vetting committee, describing the decision as unfounded, unfair and a clear misapplication of the party’s constitution.
Speaking to journalists shortly after appearing before the vetting committee on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Mr. Adams expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling and threatened to petition the national leadership of the party for redress, including legal action if necessary.
According to Mr. Adams, the vetting committee chairman cited Chapter 40 of the NDC Constitution as the basis for his disqualification. However, he argued that the said clause has been completely misinterpreted and has no bearing on his eligibility to contest for a regional youth executive position.
“Chapter 40 Has Nothing To Do With My Position”
“I appeared before the vetting committee for the position of Deputy Youth Organiser, Ashanti Region. I presented everything required,” Mr. Adams told reporters.
“The vetting committee chairman quoted Chapter 40 of the constitution, which clearly does not concern the qualification for the position I am vying for. It refers instead to participation in the National Executive Council.”
Mr. Adams maintained that Chapter 40 of the NDC Constitution deals strictly with the composition, functions and eligibility criteria for membership of the National Executive Council (NEC), the highest decision-making body of the party at the national level, and cannot be applied to aspirants seeking to serve at the regional youth level.
He expressed bewilderment that the committee would rely on such a provision to disqualify him when he is not contesting for any national position.
“I am not contesting for any national position; I am contesting for Deputy Regional Youth Organiser in the Ashanti Region. What was read to me does not warrant any disqualification of my candidature,” he stressed.
To Petition General Secretary
Unwilling to accept the outcome, Mr. Adams disclosed that he has already consulted his legal counsel and will take formal steps to challenge the decision through the party’s internal dispute resolution structures.
He revealed that his legal team will be writing directly to the General Secretary of the NDC to seek immediate clarification and to request a full review and reversal of the vetting committee’s ruling.
“I am taking the necessary steps. I’ve spoken to my lawyer, and from here, we will be writing to the General Secretary of the great NDC for better clarification of whatever was read to me there,” he affirmed.
Mr. Adams insisted that his candidacy meets all the constitutional requirements for the position he is vying for and that he has served the party faithfully at the grassroots level, making the disqualification not only unjust but also demoralizing to committed youth activists.
He appealed to the party’s national leadership to intervene to ensure fairness and to protect the integrity of the vetting process in the Ashanti Region, warning that misapplication of constitutional provisions could create unnecessary tension ahead of the regional elections.
The vetting of aspirants for the various regional executive positions of the NDC in the Ashanti Region is currently underway as part of preparations towards the party’s regional elections to reorganize and strengthen its structures.
Efforts to reach the Ashanti Regional vetting committee for comment on the matter were unsuccessful as of press time.
