The Patron of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the Damongo College of Agricultural and Allied Science, Mr. Zolinbo Issah, has petitioned the Savannah Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he describes as an unresolved leadership vacuum at the institution.
Speaking at a press conference on the school grounds on Friday, September 11, Mr. Issah, alongside concerned students and TEIN members, said the college has had no substantive TEIN executives since the previous leadership’s tenure expired, a situation he says is disrupting the coordination of TEIN activities on campus.
According to the petition, nominations for new executives opened on May 7 and closed on May 20 this year, with no position attracting more than one candidate. The outcome was reportedly relayed through TEIN’s structures, first to the institutional coordinator, Mr. Imoro Abdul-Shakuru, then to the Regional TEIN Coordinator, Mr. James Mwinwel, and finally to the Deputy Regional Youth Organizer, Mr. Saaka Abdul Razack, who oversees TEIN affairs.
The petitioners say the process was then put on hold. Mr. Issah says Saaka Abdul Razak told him the handover could not proceed because he had not been informed that nominations had opened despite the Patron’s insistence that the relevant coordinators were kept in the loop throughout.
A second attempt to move the process forward, involving the signing of outgoing executives’ certificates, was also deferred, with instructions to wait until the school reopened. After resumption on August 28, Mr. Issah says he sought to reopen nominations on September 4 to widen participation, but was again told to stand down.
In the petition, Mr. Issah maintains that the students’ actions were never meant to bypass or disrespect the party or its officials, describing their approach throughout as one made “in good faith.”
The petitioners are calling on the Regional Secretariat to seek clarification from the Deputy Regional Youth Organizer and the Regional TEIN leadership, provide clear guidance on the correct procedure, and allow nominations and elections to proceed fairly and transparently.
A proposed timetable submitted with the petition envisages nominations reopening September 11, vetting and balloting on September 15, elections on September 18, and a swearing-in and handover ceremony on September 26.
The petitioners have appealed for urgent intervention, saying a resolution would protect the democratic rights of students and restore functional TEIN leadership at the college, while reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC.
