Tensions are rising within the National Democratic Congress in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Constituency as a group calling itself the Concerned NDC Youth has petitioned the party’s national leadership to intervene over alleged irregularities and unfair treatment in the ongoing internal elections process.
The group says the credibility of the upcoming constituency elections is under threat due to what it describes as conflict of interest, manipulation, and the disenfranchisement of long-serving party members.
Addressing the media in Nkawie on Saturday, leader of the group, Panuchi Issaka, alleged that several dedicated party members who have served the NDC at both branch and constituency levels for more than 20 years have been denied the opportunity to pick nomination forms to contest executive positions.
According to him, the space has instead been opened to relatively new entrants, some of whom have reportedly been affiliated with the party for less than a year.
“We have comrades who have sacrificed for this party for over two decades, yet they are being denied forms while people who joined less than a year ago are being cleared to contest,” Mr. Issaka said. “This is unfair and it demoralizes the base of the party.”
Mr. Issaka further raised concerns over the role of the Constituency Election Directorate Officer, Hon. Derrick, who he said has publicly declared his intention to contest for the position of Constituency Secretary.
He alleged that the same officer was involved in processing and filing nomination forms online for branch executive aspirants.
“It is a clear conflict of interest for an official who is himself a candidate to be in charge of conducting the elections and handling nomination forms,” he argued.
The group also accused Constituency Chairman Abu Sadiq and Hon. Derrick of allegedly manipulating the process by removing some prospective candidates and replacing them with individuals they favor.
According to the Concerned NDC Youth, both officials are supervising the internal elections while simultaneously seeking re-election, a situation they believe undermines transparency, fairness, and trust in the process.
Some affected aspirants who spoke to the media corroborated the allegations, expressing frustration over what they described as deliberate attempts to disqualify them.
One aspirant alleged that his polling station details were altered after he had successfully picked his nomination forms.
“I registered under Polling Station 129101 B at Atwima Akrofuom, but the final list reflected my details as Polling Station 129101 A. That technicality has now made me ineligible to contest,” he said.
The Concerned NDC Youth are calling on the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, to institute an independent investigation into the allegations and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
They warned that if their concerns are not resolved promptly, they will consider seeking legal redress, including filing an injunction to halt the elections until the issues are addressed.
“We are not against elections. We are against unfair elections. The party must act now to protect its integrity in Atwima Nwabiagya South,” Mr. Issaka stated.
The aggrieved youth cautioned that unresolved grievances could deepen internal divisions and weaken the party’s unity in the constituency, which could have consequences for the NDC’s performance in the 2028 general elections.
Atwima Nwabiagya South is considered a key battleground in the Ashanti Region, and party stakeholders say a transparent internal process will be critical to mobilizing the base ahead of the national polls.
As of press time, the Constituency Chairman and the Election Directorate Officer had not responded to the allegations.
Party insiders say the national leadership is expected to review the petition in the coming days.
