The Deputy Western Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ebenezer Essien, has officially declared his intention to contest the position of Regional Secretary of the party in the Western Region.
Mr. Essien, who made the declaration while addressing the media on September 14, said his decision was driven by his desire to strengthen the party’s organizational structures, improve administration and deepen grassroots engagement.
According to him, his more than two decades of active service within the NDC have equipped him with the experience and knowledge required to lead the Regional Secretariat effectively.
“I stand before you not as a stranger to this party. I stand before you as a comrade who has served, who has remained loyal to the cause of this great party and who has remained consistent through the years,” he said.
Mr. Essien said he joined the NDC in 2005 and has since served in various capacities at the branch, ward, constituency and regional levels.
His previous positions include Branch Secretary and Branch Chairman for Aboadze JHS, Ward Coordinator for the Aboadze Fasen Electoral Area, Deputy Constituency Secretary and Constituency Secretary for Ahanta West.
He has also served as a two-time Assembly Member for the Aboadze Fasen Electoral Area and has been involved in the party’s Regional Elections and Research Directorates.
He further noted that he has been part of the Regional Communications Team since around 2007/2008 and has served as Deputy Regional Communications Officer on two occasions.
Mr. Essien said the experience had given him a broad understanding of the party’s structures and the challenges confronting members at various levels.
Declaring his vision for the position, Mr. Essien said he would work to transform the Regional Secretariat into an efficient, responsive and effective nerve centre for administration, coordination and mobilization.
He said the secretariat under his leadership would be one that “listens, coordinates, documents, communicates and delivers.”
He pledged to strengthen communication between the Regional Secretariat and constituencies, wards and branches while ensuring that party decisions, meetings, correspondence and programmes are properly documented.
Mr. Essien also promised to promote unity and internal cohesion, saying he would adopt a fair, firm, accessible and impartial approach to resolving disagreements within the party.
“Our strength lies in unity,” he said, adding that internal differences should never become greater than the common objectives that unite party members.
The NDC aspirant also placed strong emphasis on grassroots engagement and election preparedness.
He said the party must remain connected to its grassroots and pledged to promote regular engagement with constituency, ward and branch executives to better understand their concerns and aspirations.
On elections, Mr. Essien said victory would depend on preparation, organization, teamwork and effective mobilization rather than chance.
He promised to support initiatives aimed at strengthening electoral structures, improving data management and enhancing coordination before, during and after elections.
He also pledged to support greater participation of women and young people in party organization and leadership.
Drawing on his experience with the Regional Research Directorate, Mr. Essien said research and reliable data must play a greater role in the party’s planning and decision-making processes.
“Politics is now scientific and it is largely driven by data,” he said, calling for constituency research teams to be adequately equipped and supported to perform their roles effectively.
He further promised to operate an open-door policy and promote accountability, transparency, discipline and responsibility at the Regional Secretariat.
Mr. Essien said his experience across different levels of the NDC makes him suitable for the Regional Secretary position.
“I have served the NDC for more than two decades. I have served at the branch, ward, constituency and regional levels. I have worked in administration, elections, research, communications and grassroots mobilization,” he said.
“I am not coming to learn the party from the beginning. I am coming with experience to serve, strengthen and transform what we already have.”
He therefore appealed to delegates across the Western Region to support his bid, urging them to make their choice based on competence, experience, loyalty, integrity and commitment to service.
“To the hardworking delegates of the Western Region, I respectfully ask for your support and confidence. Let us build a Regional Secretariat that is efficient in administration, strong in organization, effective in communication and united in purpose,” he said.
Mr. Essien described himself as a servant of the party rather than its master and pledged to offer his experience, energy, integrity, loyalty and commitment to the NDC.
“I am Ebenezer Essien. I seek your mandate to serve as Regional Secretary,” he declared.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
