BY Issah Olegor
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Lower Manya Krobo Constituency of the Eastern Region has been hit by a wave of internal controversy following the suspension of its former constituency chairman, David Walter Hormenu.
His suspension, which has since sparked heated debate among party faithful, stems from what the party describes as anti-party conduct after he publicly criticised the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Interior Minister, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi.
David Hormenu, a long-serving member and influential figure within the constituency, had recently accused the MP of being “lazy” in lobbying for development projects for his constituents.
His remarks came during an interview on Trust FM on Monday, where he questioned the MP’s commitment to improving the welfare of the Krobo people, a community known for its strong loyalty to the NDC since Ghana’s return to multiparty democracy in 1992.
Shortly after the interview, a letter signed by the Constituency Chairman, John Matey, announced Hormenu’s indefinite suspension pursuant to Articles 46(1) and 46(8)(b) of the NDC constitution.
The letter indicated that the matter had been referred to the Constituency Disciplinary Committee for further action.
Although the letter did not explicitly state the reasons for the suspension, widespread speculation on social media suggested that it was connected to David Hormenu’s recent public criticism of the MP and the party’s alleged neglect of the Krobo area.
In the days that followed, the Constituency Organiser of the NDC, Korletey Samuel, publicly clarified that the disciplinary action was not solely about the MP’s criticism.
He alleged that the former chairman was also involved in the embezzlement of party funds and acts of dishonesty, which the executive considered grave enough to warrant suspension.
However, David Hormenu has rejected those allegations and hit back at the party leadership in a fiery response.
In a letter addressed to the Constituency Executive Committee, he accused the MP and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of masterminding his removal to silence dissent within the local party structure.
“I reject your minority decision to expel me from the party to satisfy one person’s parochial agenda,” his statement read.
He further warned that if the suspension was not revoked within 72 hours, he would petition both the Regional and National Executives to expose what he described as an attempt “to create disunity and confusion” in the constituency.
The embattled former chairman, who played a crucial role in mobilising grassroots support during previous elections, has vowed to defend his reputation, insisting that his criticism of the MP was meant to push for accountability and improved performance, not to undermine party unity.
In the wake of the controversy, the Lower Manya Krobo NDC Communications Bureau released a statement defending Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi’s performance record.
The bureau expressed disappointment over what it called politically motivated attacks aimed at tarnishing the image of the MP, describing him as a selfless leader with an unmatched record of service.
According to the statement, MP Terlabi has initiated several development projects in education, health, and community empowerment.
Among his notable contributions is a personal donation of GH₵90,000 to finance brain tumor surgery for a constituent, as well as scholarship schemes and financial support to vulnerable residents across the constituency.
The party’s communications wing further cautioned media outlets against presenting David Hormenu as an NDC representative in any form until his disciplinary case is fully resolved.
The suspension has deepened existing cracks within the Lower Manya Krobo NDC, exposing long-standing grievances over resource distribution and internal accountability.
Some party insiders fear the infighting could affect the NDC’s unity ahead of the 2028 general elections, especially in a constituency considered one of the party’s traditional strongholds in the Eastern Region.
