By Daniel Agbesi Latsu

Kadjebi (O/R), Feb 25, GNA – The number of shortlisted candidates for the District Chief Executive (DCE) post for Kadjebi has now increased to four.

Ms. Mabel Fadji Akakpo, former Akan Constituency Women Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a teacher by profession, has been added to the earlier three shortlisted candidates.

Mr Richard Akrasi, Akan Communications Officer of the NDC and a teacher at Kadjebi-Asato Senior High School (KASEC); Mr Isaac Abavon, Akan Constituency Secretary of the NDC and Assemblyman for Dubonku Electoral Area; and Dr Sam Suraj Issaka, Research Scientist with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and former Assemblyman for Mempeasem Electoral Area.

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) contacted Ms Akakpo regarding the new development, she started that the decision was made by the national hierarchy of the party to include her.

She stated that the Oti MDCE Vetting Committee of the party has been instructed to include female aspirants from three other constituencies in the region, where women have filed for the Municipal, District Chief Executive (MDCE) post.

Ms. Akakpo expressed joy and happiness over the development, as it was a win for democracy.

Residents of Kadjebi township, however, have varied views on the development.

Speaking to the GNA, Mr Wilson Tagbor, a former Akan NDC Communications Officer aspirant, disagreed with the move, describing it as dangerous and setting a bad precedent for the NDC Party.

He wondered why the national hierarchy of the party failed to instruct the Regional Vetting Committee to automatically include female aspirants, but now, after the vetting has been completed, they are giving such a directive.

Mr. Tagbor said recalcitrant party members would take advantage of this and misbehave in the future.

Ms Patience Adzola, a former Akan Deputy Women Organizer of the NDC, agreed with the inclusion of the female MDCE aspirants but stated that the directive should have come before the vetting, not after.

Twelve aspirants, including only one female, Ms. Akakpo, have filed for the Kadjebi DCE post. However, three candidates have been shortlisted per a letter dates January 31, 2025, and signed by Mr. Gabriel Kwami Lemboe, the Oti Regional Secretary of the NDC.

GNA