A 34-year-old farmer has been elected as the Western Regional Second Vice Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
At the end of the keenly contested election held at Tarkwa UMaT on Saturday, April 21, 2018, Ishmael Evonla Whajah emerged victorious in the Second Chairmanship race polling 193 votes to beat Mrs. Abena Kwallah who polled 115 votes, Mr. Samuel Otoo also polled 64 votes, Mr. Kojo Boakye Yiadom with 46 votes, Mr. Gabriel Gyasi polled 42 votes and Mr. Charles Cobbinah popularly known as Kempes polled 39 votes.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb's Western Regional Correspondent, the newly elected 2nd Vice Chairman, Ishmael Evonla Whajah expressed his profound gratitude to all the delegates who voted for him and those who didn't vote for him for the confidence reposing in him.
He pledged his commitment to work assiduously with other executives to win more seats for the party in the Region and also increase the presidential votes come 2020.
Ishmael Evonla who during the campaign remained neutral without joining any camp, promised to remain neutral in any decision making at the Regional level.
The farmer pledged to combine the party's work with his farming activities and other business ventures.
He revealed that some seats that the opposition NDC is having in the Region are going to be snatched from them in 2020.
He mentioned the seat like Ellembelle which is being occupied by the former Petroleum Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has been targeted by the NPP party in the Region.
He therefore called on the party members in the Region to rally behind the Akufo-Addo government to develop the Region.
He also urged them to be united and protect the interest of the party.
He also promised to work closer with the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency who also doubles as the Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Paul Essien to retain his seat in 2020.
Ishmael Evonla Whajah who comes from the Jomoro Constituency also thanked his people for the overwhelming support they gave to him to become the Western Regional Second Vice Chairman.
He also promised to get the unemployed youth in the area jobs to do.
"I am a Second Vice Chairman for the youth and I am going to work with them and provide them with jobs", he emphasized.
The NPP has elected new executives in the various regions nationwide