<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tA group calling itself the Real Concerned Youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned a press conference recently held by another group identifying as the \u201cConcerned and Aggrieved Youth of the NDC\u201d over the delayed selection of a District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kpandai.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tDuring a press conference on Monday, April 21, at the constituency party office in Kpandai, the Real Concerned Youth issued a statement clarifying that their intention was not to attack anyone but to promote unity and uphold the values that bind the NDC in the district.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThey emphasised their commitment to defending the party\u2019s integrity and ensuring due process in the DCE selection.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe youth, led by Janfour Benipoumchie, reminded the public that the power to appoint a District Chief Executive rests solely with the President of the Republic.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tTheir position, as the Real Concerned Youth of the NDC in Kpandai, is clear and principled: \u201cThe President has the right to appoint any qualified, competent, and loyal member of the party from the three shortlisted candidates, should he deem them fit.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cIn fact, we want to remind them that 17 party members in total applied for the DCE position when the three names were published by Tamale radio. The remaining 14 aspirants and their numerous supporters did not rise up in protest. Were they fools? Don\u2019t they also have followers? Couldn\u2019t they have destabilised the party? They did not, because they respected the process.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cEven though it did not go their way, they still respected the process and kept faith. If those 14 had reacted with the same energy and resistance being shown now, would the three shortlisted individuals have had the peace of mind to travel to Accra for vetting? This shows the maturity and discipline of the remaining 14 aspirants. That is what we call respect and love for the party,\u201d Janfour Benipoumchie stressed.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe youth condemned the use of derogatory language, such as \u201cweak,\u201d \u201cunpopular,\u201d or claims that someone had been \u201csmuggled\u201d into the process, calling such statements unfortunate, inaccurate, disrespectful, and misleading.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cJust take a look at those referring to the party leadership as weak, unpopular, and smuggled. Who among them possesses the qualities that are closer to the rank and file of the party in Kpandai? Every single individual who showed interest in this contest is a proud member of our party and has served in various capacities, sacrificed, and earned the right to be appointed as the DCE of Kpandai. We call on our colleagues to stop these baseless attacks and personal insults. We shall gain nothing by threatening each other. If anything, we weaken our party and give power to our opponents to use against us,\u201d he added.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe group also condemned the recent attack on the Constituency Chairman, Mr. Kwame Bawa, popularly known as \u201cWho Knows,\u201d during the press conference held by the allegedly aggrieved youth on April 20.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThey described the attack as unnecessary and disrespectful, noting that disagreements with a leader\u2019s stance should always be addressed with respect and dignity to ensure party unity.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Real Concerned Youth further criticised calls for the resignation of the Constituency Chairman, suggesting that such actions only served the interests of a few individuals rather than the broader party membership.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cAccusing the Constituency Chairman of betraying the constituency simply because you disagree with the process does not reflect the values of the NDC. The NDC is bigger than a few individuals\u2019 interests. We also take serious issue with the threat issued to the President that if the President does not choose from the three names, the NDC in Kpandai will be \u2018dead and buried.\u2019 How can a few individuals from a polling station we always lose threaten the movement to appoint an individual of their interest as the DCE?\u201d Janfour asked.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThey assured the regional and national leadership that the views of the Real Concerned Youth in Kpandai represented the majority of NDC members in the district. They made it clear that the voices of the self-proclaimed aggrieved youth, who had not even won their own polling station, should not be taken seriously.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Real Concerned NDC Youth in Kpandai expressed confidence that the NDC in the district is alive, strong, and reshaping. They called for the appointment of a DCE who would support the resetting agenda of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government\u2014someone who could help move the district forward, regardless of whether they were from the original shortlist.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe group also reiterated their support for the careful and thoughtful approach taken by the national leadership, as outlined by the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who had addressed the issue of delays in MMDCE appointments.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n