THE NATIONAL Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has celebrated his 66th birthday in Kumasi on Christmas day.

The occasion also coincided with 40th anniversary of Chairman Asiedu Nketia’s marriage.

The joint celebration was put together by the Ashanti Regional Executives of the party led by Regional Vice Chairman Captain (rtd) John Kwame Jabari and the Regional Organizer, Yaw Isham Alhassan.

Recently, prior to the National Delegates Conference of the NDC, Nana Kwesi and 38 other constituency chairmen endorsed the candidature of then incumbent Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo for re- election.

Nana Kwesi said his endorsement of Ofosu-Ampofo was based on NDC’s performance in the 2020 general elections in the Ashanti region which he said, was influenced by  chairman Ofosu-Ampofo.

Nana Kwasi said he was able to reclaim the New Edubiase seat which they lost to the NPP in the 2016 elections in 2020 because of significant resources the then chairman released to the party and urged all delegates in the Ashanti region to vote against Asiedu Nketia and retain Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.

Later in the day, chairman Asiedu Nketia also known as General Mosquito in the company of his vice chairman, Dr. Samuel Sarpong and the new National Organizer, Joseph Yamin converged at the Manhyia Palace to join the observation of the last Akwasidae of the year and wish the Ashanti King merry Christmas.

Conspicuously absent at both the birthday bash and Manhyia was the Ashanti Regional chairman of the party, Augustus Nana Kwesi Andrews.

Observers believe General Mosquito is paying the Regional chairman Nana Kwesi back for openly declaring support for Ofosu-Ampofo in the recent polls.

The move seems to be sidelining Nana Kwesi to render him ineffective in discharging his mandate as the party chairman in the Ashanti region.

By Kow Richardson 

Kumasi