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Tensions are rising within the Tema Metropolitan Assembly as some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), identified as non-indigenes, staged a protest on Monday evening over alleged attempts to block the appointment of a non-indigene as the next Mayor of Tema.
Clad in red armbands and party paraphernalia, the demonstrators gathered at the forecourt of the Assembly to voice their anger over what they described as “discriminatory and divisive” efforts by some local traditional leaders and opinion leaders to oppose the rumored appointment of Ebi Bright, the NDC’s 2024 parliamentary candidate for Tema Central, and Kempes Ofosuware, the current Tema East Constituency Chairman.
Leading the protest was Ibrahim M.A. Mandeya, Chairman of the Site 20 Down Branch of the NDC, who described the resistance against the possible appointments of Ebi Bright or Kempes Ofosuware as unfair and an affront to the values of inclusion and unity within the party.
> “We have supported this party for years and contributed to its growth in Tema. It is unacceptable for anyone to say non-indigenes cannot lead. Leadership should be based on competence, not ethnicity,” Mr. Mandeya said.
Joining him was Fuseini Salisu, Chairman of the NDC Paradise Branch, who argued that the city had seen little progress under the leadership of successive indigenous mayors.
> “Indigenous leadership has not transformed Tema. It’s time a competent non-indigene is given the chance to serve. We are all Ghanaians,” he stated.
The protest comes on the heels of a press conference held by a group of Tema indigenes who warned of “dire consequences” if President John Mahama appoints Ebi Bright or any non-indigene to the mayoral position.
This latest protest highlights growing internal divisions within the NDC in the Tema East constituency. The party has been grappling with disputes in recent weeks, including controversies surrounding the formation of a new Landing Beach Premix Committee.
As the debate over who becomes the next Mayor of Tema intensifies, political observers say the party’s national leadership may need to step in to avert further fractures ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Philip Azu