Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively say that the Ashanti Regional branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has gladly welcomed the removal of the incumbent Regional Minister, Kofi Opoku Manu.
According to reports emanating from the Region, members and foot soldiers of the party are lauding President John Evans Atta Mills for what they describe as “a quick response to their long cries”.
It is an open secret that there is no love lost between the out-going Regional Minister and the NDC in the Ashanti Region in recent times.
And in what is seen as perhaps the heralding of the second list of Ministerial reshuffle, President Mills has nominated Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah to replace Mr. Kofi Opoku-Manu as Ashanti Regional Minister.
Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah until his appointment was the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission. He has also been a long-standing Adjunct Faculty Member of the University of Ghana (UG) and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and teaches various courses in strategic planning and rural development studies.
NDC youth in the Region reportedly staged a massive demonstration yesterday, Tuesday, January 11 demanding the removal of Hon Kofi Opoku Manu. The youth allegedly stormed the Regional Coordinating office in red bands, chanting war songs and calling for the removal of the Minister and his deputy, Hon. Animah Wilson.
The foot soldiers served notice during their demonstration that they were not going to rest until they see the eventual exit of Mr. Opoku Manu. Thus, this removal has therefore not come as a surprise to the party member as it is believed that the replacement of Mr. Opoku Manu is a response to what they had always longed for.
The foot soldiers of the NDC have on countless occasions alleged that the Minister is not accessible and does not give attention to any request or suggestions they send to him. They also alleged that, Mr. Opoku Manu is not a committed NDC member.
The bad blood between him and executives in the region recently culminated in party officials reportedly rejecting the Minister’s Christmas present.
Meanwhile, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Joseph Yamin, says reports that the NDC in the region are highly elated that President Mills has relieved Mr. Opoku Manu off his duties are grossly inaccurate. He, however, added that they will support everything the President thinks is good for the NDC party, the region and the country as a whole.