Jabari Floors Incumbent
Solomon Reuben Jabari has floored incumbent Simon Alonga to become the new Atwima Kwanwoma Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), polling 1,319 votes against his rival’s 263 in Saturday’s constituency executive elections at Twedie Technical Institute in the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Jabari, who secured a commanding victory in the keenly contested polls on October 24, has pledged to unite the party’s rank and file ahead of the 2028 general elections while warning the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to brace for a tough political battle in the constituency.
The chairman-elect, speaking to the media after his victory, also apologised to the Electoral Commission (EC) over his earlier accusation that its officials were working for their “paymasters” during the electoral process.
He commended the EC officials and the Ghana Police Service for their professionalism, saying their efforts ensured a peaceful and orderly election despite some misunderstandings at the voting centre.
“I commend the police and the EC for their professionalism because everything was done in the right direction. This was an election, and there wouldn’t be everything that you might get perfect, but I admit that the police and the EC did what was expected of them,” he stated.
Mr. Jabari explained that his earlier accusations were made in the heat of the electoral contest, admitting that people could make mistakes during such exercises.
He consequently rendered an apology to the EC and promised to learn from the experience.
He also praised the police commander for maintaining peace and order throughout the exercise, adding that the conduct of the security personnel and electoral officials deserved commendation.
According to him, although the officials were not provided with food or drinks from any quarter, they discharged their duties professionally and ensured that the elections proceeded without violence among supporters of the various aspirants.
Unity Agenda
The newly elected chairman said his immediate priority was to reconcile the various factions within the constituency and bring all defeated aspirants on board to strengthen the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He stressed that the internal elections should not create permanent divisions among party members, insisting that all aspirants remained members of the same political family.
“I do not see the other aspirants who were not elected as losers. We are all winners because we belong to one umbrella, which is the NDC. Elections do not mean somebody has lost. We are done with the contest, so we are going to put the past behind us and move forward,” he said.
Mr. Jabari disclosed that he would engage the party’s elders, imams and pastors in communities across the constituency as part of efforts to restore confidence among members and promote lasting peace.
He also pledged to meet the other aspirants personally to encourage them to support the new leadership and contribute to the party’s development.
He expressed confidence that the new executive team would work collectively to strengthen the NDC’s support base and improve its electoral fortunes in Atwima Kwanwoma.
NPP Warning
Mr. Jabari warned the NPP not to underestimate the NDC in Atwima Kwanwoma ahead of the 2028 general elections, insisting that the newly elected executives were ready to mount an aggressive campaign to secure victory.
He attributed his confidence to the youthful composition of the new executive team, which he said would bring renewed energy and commitment to grassroots mobilisation.
“To have a solid team like this in Atwima Kwanwoma, trust me, the NPP will not have it easy. We are all young, and when we go down to campaign, the youth in the constituency are going to support us,” he declared.
Drawing on his military background, Mr. Jabari said he was prepared to work closely with the secretary, communications officer and other executives to strengthen the party and improve its performance in the next general elections.
He expressed optimism that the support of the youth would enable the NDC to increase its electoral margins in the constituency.
However, he acknowledged that addressing the constituency’s development challenges would be crucial to the party’s electoral ambitions.
He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to fix what he estimated to be 40 per cent of the roads in the constituency, arguing that improved road infrastructure would boost the NDC’s chances of securing the parliamentary seat in 2028.
Other Winners
In the other contests, Lawrence Obiri Yeboah won the vice-chairmanship position with 1,081 votes.
Lukman Mumuni retained the constituency secretary position, while his closest rival, Kingston Opoku Bediako, polled 523 votes.
Appiah Augustine won the deputy secretary position with 1,176 votes, while Appiah Isaac secured the deputy organiser position with 916 votes.
Daniel Basepwah won the treasurer position with 974 votes, while Desmond Aziwini secured the deputy treasurer position with 1,276 votes.
Frank Kwame Agyekum was elected constituency communications officer with 1,100 votes, while Blessing Nti Fordjour won the deputy communications officer position with 1,030 votes.
Osman Mohamed won the Zongo caucus position with 961 votes.
Isaac Painstil and Rosemary Adjei secured the youth organiser and deputy youth organiser positions with 97 and 67 votes respectively.
Barikisu Musah won the women’s organiser position with 144 votes, while Ellen Owusu secured the deputy women’s organiser position with 107 votes.
Ledzi Ekpen won the other youth organiser position with 97 votes.
The eight additional constituency executive positions went to Rita Prempeh, Asamoah Emmanuel, Matthew Mensah, Osei Bonsu, Adwoa Konadu, Monica Tosu, Edawanim Justice Osei and Matilda Kandibiga, who were elected from a field of 19 aspirants.
Mr. Jabari expressed gratitude to party members who participated in the elections and pledged to work with all stakeholders to build a united and formidable NDC capable of securing victory in the 2028 general elections.
