Accra (Greater Accra) 26 August 2001
Harona Esseku, 67, a minister in the Second Republic, was on Saturday elected the National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at its National Delegates Congress in Accra.
Esseku polled 348 valid votes cast to beat two other contestants Mohammed Musah who had 22, with Samuel Addai-Duah polling 61.
Esseku takes over from Samuel Odoi-Sykes, who is now an ambassador designate.
Stephen Ayensu Ntim, 43, secured 375 votes to become the first National Vice-Chairman. Agnes Adzo Okudzeto, 58, came second with 326 votes, while Edmund Annan, 61, secured 223 for the third place.
Michael Dugan, 69, won the National Treasurer position with 269 votes. He beat three other contestants.
Reminiscent of the last congress in 1998, 32-year-old Lord Oblitey Commey pulled a surprise victory over the highly tipped Alhaji Sulemana Yirimea for the post of national organiser, which was being held Major Courage Quarshigah, now Minister for Agriculture.
Commey secured 210 votes while Alhaji Yirimea pulled 183 votes. During the last congress Major Quarshigah surprised pundits by beating Alhaji Inusah the pre-congress favourite.
Dan Botwe, the General Secretary of the party, maintianed his position unopposed.
In his acceptance speech Esseku pledged his loyalty to the party and called on members to close their ranks and forged ahead for more electoral victories.
GRi../
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