The Greater Accra branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is allegedly in turmoil, with party executives locked in a fierce battle for supremacy.
The main opposition party is grappling with internal conflicts that threaten its electoral prospects in the region.
Tensions peaked during a Regional Executive meeting on July 4, 2024, at the party’s Regional Office in La, where a physical altercation occurred between Regional Chairman Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore and Regional Women’s Organizer Felicia Mekpoi Bortey.
According to The Custodian, the conflict began when the regional chairman refused to let the regional women’s organizer address issues related to the distribution of motorbikes in the Sege Constituency. This led to personal attacks, with both parties hurling insults at each other.
The situation escalated when Chairman Moore made disparaging remarks about Ms. Bortey’s character, including accusations of promiscuity. In a fit of rage, Ms. Bortey responded by pouring hot water on Ashie Moore.
This prompted Mr Moore to attempt to physically assault Madam Bortey, but other regional executives quickly intervened to prevent further violence.
Efforts by a team led by former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Sylvester Mensah, to mediate were unsuccessful. A video surfaced showing Chairman Moore dismissing the team in a harsh manner.
The Custodian learned that this incident is symptomatic of deeper issues within the Greater Accra NDC. Sources within the party indicate that factionalism and petty infighting have plagued the regional branch for some time.
“I have never seen the region in disunity like Greater Accra. Nothing happens here without arguments or confrontation. We have not learned any lesson from what happened in Central Region NDC. We have about four different factions in one region, and why should that be so?” a regional executive, name withheld told this paper.
He added that, “With the general election only five months away, the internal strife within the Greater Accra NDC could severely impact the party’s performance. I am worried that the ongoing disunity might derail the party’s efforts in the crucial Greater Accra Region, a key battleground for the upcoming elections.”
With the general election only five months away, the ongoing internal strife within the Greater Accra NDC could severely impact the party’s performance. The regional executive expressed concern that the disunity might derail the party’s efforts in this crucial battleground region.
This turmoil is not unprecedented. Last year, Greater Accra Regional Chairman Ashie Moore revoked the suspension of Ayawaso-West-Wuogon Constituency Chairman Bismark Aborbi-Ayitey, against the wishes of some party executives. Aborbi-Ayitey had been suspended by the Greater Accra Regional Secretary, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, for participating in media programs discussing internal party matters. Tetteh Chaie referred the matter to the Regional Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and asked Aborbi-Ayitey to hand over all party properties in his possession.
However, Chairman Moore intervened, canceling the suspension on the grounds that it had not followed the proper procedure to secure his endorsement as Regional Chairman.