TEIN Appeals to Asiedu Nketia as Former Executives Face Disqualification From NDC Race

The National Secretariat of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) has appealed to the national leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to intervene urgently following reports that former TEIN executives have been disqualified from contesting regional executive positions in various parts of the country.

In a formal appeal addressed to NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia through General Secretary Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, National TEIN Coordinator Dr Mohammed Sadiq Gombilla expressed concern over the reported disqualifications.

He said the affected aspirants were excluded because their previous executive experience was gained within TEIN rather than at the constituency level.

Dr Gombilla argued that the matter goes beyond the individual candidates and raises broader questions about how the party recognises leadership experience acquired through its tertiary institution structures.

He noted that TEIN executives play important roles in the party’s political activities, including recruiting members, coordinating campaigns, organising party programmes and mobilising voters across multiple polling stations.

According to the coordinator, these responsibilities demand considerable leadership, discipline and cooperation with constituency, regional and national party officials.

He added that campus executives perform these duties alongside their academic commitments, often using their personal resources to support the party.

The appeal also highlighted TEIN’s contribution to the NDC’s performance in the 2024 general elections, with Dr Gombilla maintaining that student mobilisation efforts helped strengthen the party’s support among tertiary students and convert that backing into votes.

He argued that the sacrifices and commitment demonstrated by campus leaders should be recognised when they seek to progress into regional and national party leadership.

Dr Gombilla questioned the reported eligibility criteria, particularly the distinction between candidates with no previous executive experience who may qualify to contest constituency positions and former TEIN executives who are allegedly barred from seeking regional office because they have not served at the constituency level.

Although he acknowledged the responsibility of vetting committees to enforce the party’s approved electoral regulations, he called for a consistent resolution of the matter across all regions.

He warned that failing to recognise TEIN leadership experience could discourage current campus executives and lead them to focus on securing constituency positions at the expense of their responsibilities within tertiary institutions.

According to the appeal, such a development could weaken campus mobilisation and increase the burden on constituency executives responsible for maintaining the party’s presence and activities in tertiary institutions.

The TEIN Secretariat has therefore urged the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee to review the cases of all aspirants reportedly disqualified solely because their executive experience was acquired through TEIN.

It wants the affected candidates to be allowed to contest, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

The coordinator also called for clear and uniform guidelines on how qualifying TEIN executive service should be considered when determining eligibility for regional and national party positions.

He further urged the party to resolve appeals submitted by affected candidates without unnecessary delays.

Dr Gombilla stressed that the objective was to ensure former campus leaders receive a fair opportunity to present themselves to party delegates, who would ultimately decide their suitability for the positions they seek.

He expressed support for the affected aspirants, encouraging them to follow the established appeal procedures while urging serving TEIN executives to remain focused on their responsibilities as efforts continue to resolve the dispute.

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/TEIN-Secretariat-appeals-to-NDC-leadership-over-disqualification-of-former-executives-2057424

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