Cocerned Elders of the ruling party, National Democratic Congress in the Atiwa East Constituency of the Eastern Region have petitioned the vetting committee of MMDCES for appointment cautioned them not to make mistake and nominate Ernest Owusu Ntim, the current constituency chairman for the position of the District Chief Executive (DCE).
This was made known to the media through the petitioners spokesperson, Mr Edmund Bonsu branch chairman for Akyem Anyinam.
In a lengthy page document petition, copy to the Chairman of the Vetting Committee of Candidates for Appointment as MMDCEs, the Vice President Jubilee House, the Chief of Staff Jubilee House, the Hon Minister Ministry of Local government, Chieftancy and religious Affair, th Senior Advisor on Governance citing serious allegations that has to do with Ernest Owusu Ntim’s credible to hold the DCE position.
Among concerns raised by the Concerned Elders are that; Mr. Ernest Owusu Ntim has superintended over the party for a period where the party has recorded less growth in terms of membership and recorded abysmal electoral fortune. Secondly, his very nauseating and over-authoritative approach to leadership has resulted in divisiveness among the rank and file of the party in the constituency. Thirdly, the lack of accountability under his stewardship has hindered participatory democracy in the Constituency Party stifling its electoral appeal. Finally, his deep involvement in illegal mining has created a bad image for the party.
Read full statement of the petition below:
Concerned Elders of the NDC Party
Atiwa East Constituency
Anyinam – Eastern Region
4th April, 2025
The President
Jubilee House
Accra
Dear Mr. President,
Petition Letter against Mr. Ernest Owusu Ntim (Atiwa East NDC Chairman) not to be appointed as the District Chief Executive of Atiwa East District.
We the undersigned concerned elders of the NDC Party in the Atiwa East Constituency write this petition to the President with great hesitancy and a heavy heart. We are not at ease with writing this petition for the mere seek of it but what has to be done, has to be done. It is about Mr. Ernest Owusu Ntim who holds the position of Chairman of the NDC in the Atiwa East Constituency and is one of the candidates being considered for appointment as the District Chief Executive of Atiwa East District.
He has been the Chairman of the NDC in Atiwa East Constituency since 2014. The petition against him is anchored on four courts or concerns. Firstly, he has superintended over the party for a period where the party has recorded less growth in terms of membership and recorded abysmal electoral fortune. Secondly, his very nauseating and over-authoritative approach to leadership has resulted in divisiveness among the rank and file of the party in the constituency. Thirdly, the lack of accountability under his stewardship has hindered participatory democracy in the Constituency Party stifling its electoral appeal. Finally, his deep involvement in illegal mining has created a bad image for the party.
We have summarized the particulars in support of each of these counts or concerns:
Superintending over the Constituency Party for a period where the Party recorded less growth in terms of membership and abysmal electoral performances during each election cycle.
Documented membership of the party, as captured in branches’ registers attest to this fact (see the over 70 Branch registers). Also, a cursory look at the over 70 branch registers reveals the following: low enrolment of new members and a high death rate among its ageing members. In cases where new members have been recruited, they are not committed to the cause of the party, don’t believe in its ideals and are mainly used to further the interest of selected individual party executives during internal elections (see the attached letter addressed the then General Secretary of the NDC dated 25th October 2022).
This has had a detrimental effect on the party’s electoral performances during each election cycle as shown.
Figures below, depicts the election results of the NDC since the creation of the Atiwa East Constituency.
Presidential results
2012-6618
2016-5320
2020-7536
2024-8236
Parliamentary results
2012-6480
2016-4962
2020-6495
2024-5334
Source: Electoral Commission of Ghana.
A very nauseating and over-authoritative approach to leadership has led to divisiveness among the rank and file of the party in the constituency
Before, and since becoming the chairman of the party in the constituency in 2014, Mr Ernest Owusu Ntim has thrown his weight around, especially over some elders of the party, old executives of the party and critics of his leadership styles and all the Parliamentary Candidates who have stood on the party’s ticket since 2014. These comrades have had to consistently face his irrational behaviour. Besides, he doesn’t have the manners to talk with people who he disagrees with and lacks work etiquette that fosters comradeship. His very nauseating and over-authoritative approach to leadership led some concerned party members to write countless petitions to the region and national echelons of the party. The Alex Segbefia committee could not resolve the concerns of these concerned members resulting in some members even going to court (see the attached court order obtained). The true state of the constituency party is one of divisiveness coupled with disillusion and lack of direction. The results are unimpressed election outcomes.
Lack of accountability under his stewardship has hindered participatory democracy in the Constituency Party and has stifled its electoral fortunate
The leadership of the constituency party under the chairmanship of Mr Ernest Owusu Ntim do not render accounts to the entire party members. Decisions taken are a one-man show and have always been top-down rather than down-up. Branches of the party do not matter. Regular meetings are not held at various levels of the party. Funds sent from National for party activities at the constituency often end up in the chairman’s pocket. Membership views are not sought on key critical issues and the branches are weak, inactive and in some cases non-existent. The absence of conducting a free, fair and transparent membership drive, the non-election of branch Executives and the compilation of a credible branch register to conduct the election of a new crop of Constituency Executive of the Party led to court actions before the 2024 general election. When elders of the Party in the constituency have spoken to him about these behaviours, his attitude has always been dismissive.
Deep involvement in illegal mining creates a bad image for the party in the constituency
The chairman’s deep involvement in illegal mining in the constituency is a well-known fact. Though, he has been a three-term chairman of the party, such kind of behaviour is unacceptable for the high standards of our Party. We suggest such kind of behaviour should not be rewarded with an appointment of DCE.
It is for these concerns that we think, appointing Mr. Ernest Owusu Ntim as the District Chief of Atiwa East District is not good for the District and the Party. We urge the appointing authority to consider these concerns when taking the final decision in deciding who will become the DCE of the Atiwa District.
Yours Sincerely,
cc: The Chairman
National Vetting Committee of Candidates for Appointment as MMDCEs
Local Government Institute
Madina, Accra
The Vice President
Jubilee House
Accra
The Chief of Staff
Jubilee House
Accra
The Hon Minister
Ministry of Local government, Chieftancy and religious Affair
Accra
Senior Advisor on Governance
Jubilee House
Accra
