NDC UPPER EAST SECRETARY RACE HEATS UP — JAMES GBANDAN KONZABRE DECLARES BID

Former Dean of Presiding Members brings 16 years of party mobilisation, local governance and academic experience into the contest

The race for the Upper East Regional Secretary position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is gathering momentum following the declaration of James Gbandan Konzabre, former Dean of Presiding Members in the region.

Mr. Konzabre has formally announced his intention to contest the position, entering the race with a profile that combines grassroots party organisation, local government experience, education, youth mobilisation and public service.

16 YEARS OF GRASSROOTS MOBILISATION

Mr. Konzabre’s campaign is being built around what he describes as “Leadership That Works.”

A significant part of his political experience comes from his 16-year tenure as the Upper East Regional Coordinator of the NDC’s Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN), where he was involved in organising, mentoring and mobilising young members of the party.

He has also served the NDC at constituency and regional levels, giving him considerable exposure to the party’s grassroots structures.

FROM ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP TO REGIONAL POLITICS

Beyond party politics, Mr. Konzabre has an extensive local government background.

He served as Presiding Member of the Talensi-Nabdam/Talensi District Assembly for four years before becoming Dean of Presiding Members in the Upper East Region, a position he held for two years.

He also served as Assembly Member for the Kulpeliga Electoral Area and participated in the work of the Assembly’s Executive Committee and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council.

His governance experience includes chairing the Audit Report Implementation Committee (ARIC) and the Public Relations and Complaints Committee of the Assembly.

AN NDC CAMPAIGNER WITH ELECTION EXPERIENCE

Konzabre has also been deeply involved in the NDC’s electoral machinery.

He served as the party’s Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Collation Agent for the Talensi Constituency in 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2024, while also serving on the constituency campaign team during those four election cycles.

He was additionally a Campaign Coordinator for the Talensi East Zone Campaign Team in 2016 and 2020 and served on the NDC Upper East Regional Youth Working Committee.

His political record further includes serving as a polling agent for former President John Dramani Mahama during the NDC’s 2019 presidential primary and working as NDC Branch Secretary of Kulpeliga Primary School ‘A’.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Mr. Konzabre’s professional career is rooted largely in education.

He spent 16 years as a lecturer at St John Bosco’s College of Education, where he was involved in teaching, mentoring, coaching, research and community service.

He subsequently headed the Social Studies Unit for four years and the Arts and Social Sciences Department for seven years, while also serving as Recording Secretary of the college’s Governing Council.

He has additionally lectured part-time at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education, Winneba.

His academic credentials also include published research, including a 2018 study examining the impact of Ghana’s School Feeding Programme on enrolment and retention in the Talensi District.

NOW HE WANTS THE REGIONAL SECRETARY SLOT

Mr. Konzabre currently serves as the Upper East Regional Coordinator of the National Apprenticeship Programme, a position he has held since 2025.

His wider public-service record includes roles on educational governing bodies and other public institutions, as well as experience in sports administration.

His declaration therefore adds another experienced figure to what promises to be a closely watched contest for the NDC’s top administrative position in the Upper East Region.

A BATTLE OF EXPERIENCE AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

The Regional Secretary position is critical to the day-to-day organisation and administration of any political party at the regional level.

For Mr. Konzabre, his combination of party organisation, grassroots mobilisation, electoral experience, local governance and academic leadership is likely to be a major selling point as he takes his message to delegates.

The contest is now set to test whether his long-standing involvement in the NDC’s grassroots and organisational structures can translate into the support needed to secure the regional secretary position.

The Upper East NDC race has officially become even more interesting.