An aspirant for the Upper East Regional Chairmanship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Duncan Nsoh Ghaneba Azoyine, says his decision to contest the position is aimed at liberating the party’s grassroots and constituency executives from what he describes as extortion and intimidation under the incumbent regional leadership.
Mr. Nsoh, who is challenging incumbent Chairman Alhaji Abdulai Mumuni Bolnaba, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with A1 Radio ahead of the party’s regional executive elections scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026.
He accused the incumbent of being an absentee chairman who, according to him, rarely engages party members at the constituency and polling station levels except during visits by the President or other prominent party figures.
Mr Nsoh said he had remained actively involved in party activities, including efforts to manage tensions among supporters in Zebilla and Sapeliga during the last general election.
He said his commitment to grassroots mobilisation and his long-standing engagement with constituency executives had encouraged party members, to persuade him to contest the regional chairmanship.
The former Director of Education said he initially resisted calls to enter the race but eventually agreed after repeated appeals from grassroots members.
He argued that constituency executives and polling station organisers who contributed to the NDC’s victory in all 15 parliamentary constituencies in the Upper East Region deserved greater recognition and a fair share of opportunities arising from the party’s electoral success.
Mr. Nsoh alleged that some regional-level party officials had been taking advantage of their positions to influence or seize opportunities, including contracts, appointments and school feeding-related benefits, which he believes should reach the constituencies.
He promised that, if elected, he would prevent regional executives from interfering in opportunities meant for constituency structures.
“Voting for me means voting for freedom for the constituencies,” he said, adding that the regional party leadership should focus on supervision, coordination and ensuring that party structures function effectively.
He maintained that the party’s regional leadership must support, rather than undermine, constituency executives and Members of Parliament.
Mr. Nsoh also defended his decision to challenge Mr. Bolnaba, dismissing suggestions that his ambition was motivated by disappointment over not receiving an appointment from the incumbent. He said his background in education administration, had equipped him with the administrative and organisational experience needed to lead the party.
He further cited his experience in business, agriculture and construction, as well as training in proposal development and other courses, as additional strengths he would bring to the position.
The aspirant argued that the NDC needed a more active and effective regional leadership to strengthen collaboration with its Members of Parliament, constituency executives and other stakeholders ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He acknowledged Mr. Bolnaba’s contribution to the party but insisted that the regional chairmanship required a change in leadership.
“Bonaba is good. Duncan is better,” he said, urging delegates to support his bid to move the party from what he described as good leadership to better leadership.
Mr. Nsoh further claimed that the NDC’s performance in winning all 15 parliamentary seats in the region should not be credited solely to the regional chairman, insisting that constituency executives, polling station organisers and parliamentary candidates played significant roles in securing the victories.
He urged delegates to look beyond the party’s electoral record and assess how effectively the regional leadership has supported the party’s structures.
As the November 14 election approaches, Mr. Nsoh appealed to delegates to vote for him, promising to make the regional party leadership more accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of grassroots members.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah
