Takoradi: GHC12bn NDC office sparks row dividing regional executives

A 12 billion old cedis three-storey office complex to serve as the new Western Regional office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has opened old wounds among the already divided regional executives of the party. Information available to the paper indicates that the three storey office complex, which was purchased by the Regional Chairman -Michael Aidoo, aka Big Aidoo, was in fulfillment of a promise made to the party during the 2012 campaign.

Michael Aidoo, aka Big Aidoo - NDC Western Regional Chairman

What was supposed to be joyous moment for the regional executives of the party turned out to be a rather sorrowful scene, as they subjected the Regional Chairman to severe interrogation when Big Aidoo informed them about the new office complex. The Regional Executives were raising concerns about how Big Aidoo was able to generate such a huge sum of money to purchase an office complex of this dimension for the party.

The Regional Organizer and Secretary -Japhet Baidoo and Joseph Nelson respectively wanted to know where Big Aidoo got the money from to buy the office complex. The development, has heightened tension in the party, with a section of the Regional Executives, who are anti Big Aidoo, refusing to move to the new office complex. The Regional Organizer of the party, Mr. Japhet Baidoe told this reporter in a telephone interview that he was not aware the party has acquired a new office complex at Chapel Hill in Takoradi, an answer underlining his resistance to move to the new party office.

 To him, the focus of the party was how to win the upcoming general elections, and not a party office, adding that the idea to get a new party office was discussed at the initial stages when the new executives were voted into office. He, however, noted that the idea was discarded later, adding “That is why I am confused about your question. So far, as regional executives, our party office is in Sekondi”.

When this reporter asked if he had not at any point in time interrogated to know how the Regional Chairman managed to raise 12 billion old cedis to purchase an office complex for the NDC, Mr. Baidoo responded: “No comment”. “How do you mean when you say no comment”, asked this reporter. “Sincerely, I do not remember questioning the NDC Chairman over the new party office as you are seeking answers to”.

 Interestingly, the Regional Communication Officer of the party -Famous Tumi Acquah has confirmed the purchase of the new office complex by the Regional Chairman for the party. Mr. Tumi Acquah, who initially wanted to dodge the question later caved in to confirm that indeed it was the Regional Chairman who purchased the office complex for the party. When asked whether his colleague Regional Executives were justified in questioning how the Regional Chairman managed to raise 12 billion old cedis to buy the office complex in the name of the party, the Communication Officer would not comment.

 He, however, responded that the Regional Chairman was resourceful enough to purchase 15 of such edifices, if he wants to. He would also not disclose when the party would move into the new office complex. But, this reporter is reliably informed that the party would move into the new office complex in April this year.