Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Communications Officer, Paul Yandoh, has attributed his defeat in the party’s regional secretary election largely to the incarceration of popular NPP figure Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Mr Yandoh, who placed third in the election, said the absence of Mr Wontumi’s expected financial support was a major setback for his campaign.
“The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, did not cause my defeat, but the incarceration of Wontumi was a major setback for me. The contributions he called for on my behalf were a complete joke; some of his people sent GH₵1, GH₵2, 50 pesewas, and even 38 pesewas,” he said.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Yandoh dismissed suggestions that the endorsement he received from Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, a member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), contributed to his defeat.
According to him, Dr Amoakohene’s political affiliation did not make his endorsement a liability because he had satisfied all the NPP’s requirements to contest the position.
“No, I don’t believe the Ashanti Regional Minister caused my defeat because he is from a different political party and endorsed me. The party has guidelines and I qualify for all, so what else will make you think I am not serious with the position?” he asked.
Mr Yandoh said he had openly declared his intention to contest for the regional secretary position long before Dr Amoakohene endorsed him and had explained his vision and aspirations to delegates during the campaign.
“I declared my intention for the secretary position for a long time, so it’s not Amoakohene’s endorsement that caused my defeat. I explained my ideas and aspirations during my campaign,” he said.
He also explained that his public exchanges with Dr Amoakohene on social media were strategic and intended to share attention among the youth rather than undermine his political ambitions.
“When he became Regional Minister, he was involving the youth in almost everything he did and it was like he was taking them all. So I didn’t want him to take it all. For me and him’s banter, it was a strategic way of sharing the attention with him among the youth on social media,” he said.
Mr Yandoh expressed gratitude to Dr Amoakohene for any contributions made towards his campaign but said the amounts involved were insignificant.
“And any contribution that he is said to have gone on my behalf, I’m grateful. However, it wasn’t a significant amount. It was GH₵1 and GH₵2. I think Amoakohene deliberately told them to send that amount,” he said.
He maintained that Dr Amoakohene’s endorsement had no bearing on the outcome of the election, insisting that the loss of Wontumi’s support was the more significant factor.
“There was no way he caused my defeat. Wontumi’s imprisonment was my downfall,” Mr Yandoh added.
Mr Yandoh secured 105 votes in the NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary election, placing third. Francis Adomako won the contest with 492 votes, while Michael Amoah Awuku came second with 331 votes.
His candidacy attracted attention ahead of the election following the public endorsement and social media campaign by Dr Frank Amoakohene, despite the Regional Minister belonging to the governing NDC.
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