The race for the District Chief Executive position in the Nkwanta North District took an interesting twist when Konkomba youth traded blows in a scuffle over the shortlisted applicants.
While some of the youth were in favour of the three applicants shortlisted, others believed Konkombas had been marginalised in the process.
14 aspirants were shortlisted to be considered for the position of District Chief Executives in the Oti Region.
The list was met with a stern opposition by some Konkomba youth who believe their tribesmen who filed nominations were marginalised and not treated fairly.
The group led by some executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) castigated the vetting committee led by the Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, for not shortlisting any of the 17 Konkombas who filed applications to occupy the position of MDCE in the region.
Addressing the press, the Nkwanta North NDC Deputy Communications Officer, Gideo Bilinyi accused Mr. Gyapong of leading a sinister agenda against Konkombas because he was heard on a viral tape indicating his disapproval of people of Konkombas descent being appointed to public offices.
Mr. Gyapong was heard saying “so, when you are talking about Oti, for me, to talk about Konkombas, I will talk about Ewes. You think of the Konkombas, no, trust the Ewes because they dominate”, hence his vilification when all 17 Konkombas were not shortlisted in the MDCEs race.
However, Another faction believes the committee did due diligence and gave equal opportunity and hearing to all candidates before shortlisting the most qualified ones.
A Spokesperson, Ernest Lagsah stressed the Nkwanta North Member of Parliament, John Oti Bless, attempted to impress on the committee to shortlist his favourite which was rejected by other members of the committee.
“Hon. John O.K Bless attempted to corrupt the process by compromising on standards laid for the committee. He insisted on his choice; thus, Mr. Anthony Kwesi Ntefui, who performed woefully during the process was included in the list. However, the committee disagreed hence he resorted to inciting his thugs to accuse the Regional Minister of bias against Konkombas”, he said when addressing the press in Kpassa.
He insisted that all the candidates shortlisted, equally merit the appointment and urged President Mahama to appoint a suitable applicant to lead the Nkwanta North District.
“If His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama finds them [shortlisted applicants] worthy, we encourage him to appoint any of them as our District Chief Executive in fulfillment of the provisions of the constitution and his promise to ensure balance in his appointments”, he said
Mr. Lagsah acknowledged the contribution of the other tribes in the Oti Region to victory of the NDC and electing Konkombas to occupy the parliamentary seats of Krachi Nchumuru, Krachi East, and Nkwanta North Constituencies.
However, a brawl emerged during the press encounter, which was quickly intervened by the Chief of Kpassa, Ubor Tassan Konja IV. This prevented bloodshed between the two factions.
Ubor Tassan Konja called for a truce and urged both factions to embrace peace and accept whoever President Mahama deemed fit to lead the administration of the District.
“Everyone cannot be DCE, let us support whoever is appointed to occupy the position. What we want is development and progress. I am pleading with you. I don’t want us to experience the repercussions of the tribal conflict in 2012. President Mahama will appoint whoever qualifies to lead us”, he stressed.
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