A leadership crisis has hit the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the Damongo Agricultural College and Allied Science, leaving the NDC’s student wing without executives for months.
At a press conference, the TEIN Patron of the institution, Mr. Zolinbo Issah, together with 40 concerned TEIN members petitioned the Savannah Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for urgent intervention, accusing the Deputy Regional Youth Organizer in charge of TEIN affairs,. Saaka Abdul Razack, of frustrating efforts to elect new leaders.
According to the petition, the tenure of the previous TEIN executives has ended, creating what the Patron describes as a leadership vacuum that has affected the proper coordination and functioning of TEIN activities on campus.
Mr. Issah detailed how he initiated a democratic transition process, opening nominations on 7th May, 2026, which closed on 20th May, 2026. At the close, he said no position was contested.
In line with procedure, he said he communicated the outcome to the TEIN Coordinator for the institution, Mr. Imoro Abdul-Shakuru, who forwarded it to the Regional TEIN Coordinator, Mr. James Mwinwel, and ultimately to Saaka Abdul Razack.
It was at that point, the petition states, that the process was ordered to be put on hold.
The Patron said he personally engaged Razack, who reportedly told him the handover could not take place because he was not aware nominations had been opened. The Patron also presented the certificates of outgoing executives for signing, but was told to wait due to concerns about the selection of the TEIN President.
Respecting that directive, the Patron says they suspended the process until school resumed on 28th August, 2026.
Upon resumption, in a bid to address the concerns raised and make the process more inclusive, the Patron informed Razack of plans to reopen nominations on 4th September, 2026, to give every eligible student a chance to contest.
“Despite this effort to address the concerns that had earlier been raised, we were again informed that we should stop the process,” the petition reads.
The petitioners argue that keeping the institution without a duly elected leadership for an indefinite period is not in the best interest of TEIN, the students, or the NDC.
They proposed, 11 th September , 2026 for reopening of nominations as a new roadmap to end the impasse.
The petition stresses that it is not intended to attack or disrespect Saaka Abdul Razack or any party official, noting that they recognize and respect the authority and leadership structure of the party.
“Where concerns exist regarding an election process, such concerns should be addressed through consultation, guidance, and the appropriate party structures,” the petition stated, adding that the NDC’s own principles of democracy, fairness, transparency and respect for due process should guide the election of student leaders.
The Patron and the 40 signatory members are now making nine demands, including:
- An urgent review of the circumstances leading to the delay.
- Permission to reopen nominations and conduct elections in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
They conclude that only the intervention of the Regional Secretariat can restore a legitimate and functional TEIN leadership at Damongo Agricultural College and Allied Science.
The petition has been copied to the NDC General Secretary, National Youth Organizer, Savannah Regional Chairman, National TEIN Coordinator, and other regional and constituency executives.
Efforts to get in touch with Saaka Abdul Razack to publicly comment on the allegations have proven futile.
By: Hafiz Iddrisu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
