Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the leading contender for the General Secretary Position in the up-coming National Executives election of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a provident show at this year’s Anlo Hogbetsotso festival, showing gravitas and influence ahead of his campaign launch next week.
Among top dignitaries who cladded the colourful traditional event over the weekend, the NDC General Secretary hopeful was spotted on the dais with prominent Kings of Anlo and their invited guests in his beautiful Kente, sparking conversations about his royal credentials.
The firebrand former Deputy General Secretary of the main opposition party was spotted among Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, among other prominent Ghanaians seated together on the dais as the people Anlo climaxed their month-long Hogbetsotso Festival with a grand durbar on Saturday, amidst a beautiful display of art and culture.
As if orchestrated, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah was at the Palace of the Awormefia, Torgbui Sri in the company of NDC Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Business man and brother of the former President, Ibrahim Mahama during a courtesy call on all the kings of the Anlo Kingdom on the eve of the grand durbar.
Yet to fully unleash his campaign roadmap, the ‘Elvis4GS’ campaign has lifted the contest to a new high that poses a threat to his two other contestants, Peter Boamah Otokunor and Fiifi Kwetey respectively, boosting his campaign with a cloud of reverence which may become the envy of his battle mates who are struggling to show class as having the clout to lead the administrations department of the party even as the party readies to unseat the NPP.
With his maternal mother hailing from the Anlo area, Atiavi, near Keta, in the Volta Region the former Minister for Youth and Sports, a deputy Local Government Minister seems to be counting on his home support which is critical to clinch a victory in the December contest. He also hails partly from Aheneba Kokoben in the Ashanti region which may give him an advantage over his colleagues.
His campaign team earlier met various NDC groups including opinion leaders to assure them of his commitment towards a united party after the December 17 congress to faceoff with the governing NPP bent on rigging the 2024 elections.
Speaking to journalists as he was mobbed on the side-lines of the festival of the Anlo state,
Afriyie Ankrah, a former NDC deputy General Secretary and currently Director of Elections of the NDC described the attendance of this year’s Hogbetsotso by prominent kings and queens from other traditional jurisdictions as very historic and purposeful.
He also described the presence of the Asantehene and other powerful Chiefs through Awomefia Togbui Sri’s special invitation as significant milestone, referencing the history of Asantes, Gas, Kwewu’s and Anlos.
He noted that the display of various cultures by traditional authorities did not only project the Anlo people but sent a strong message to the world about Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, which binds the people irrespective of ethnic backgrounds.
Mr Ankrah also used his visit to meet some influential Chiefs in the Volta region, to seek their blessing.
Elvis Ankrah, touts years of hard work at various levels of the NDC including his appointment as a deputy Campaign Manager for the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills during the 2008 elections and Campaign Coordinator for former President John Mahama in the 2012 elections both of which saw NDC’s victory.
Described as the most experienced amongst the candidates vying for the General Secretary position of the NDC, Afriyie Ankrah was also the Deputy Campaign Spokeperson for Prof. Atta Mills as a Presidential candidate for NDC primaries in 2002.
Elected Deputy General Secretary in charge of Operations in 2005, Mr Ankrah who touts his strong attributes; smart, influential, bold and leadership skills.