By Lawrence Odoom
A formidable new contender has officially entered the fray for the National Democratic Congress’s Central Regional Deputy Secretary position, as Dr. Patrick Essien declared his intent to contest in a sweeping statement that blends scientific pedigree, international acclaim, and deep-rooted party activism.
In a declaration released this week, Dr. Essien, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and current Deputy Director at the Mining Department of the Environmental Protection Authority, positioned himself as the bridge between the NDC’s grassroots machinery and the exacting demands of modern political administration.
“I hereby formally declare my intention to contest for the position of Central Regional Deputy Secretary of our great party,” Dr. Essien announced. “This declaration is made with a deep sense of responsibility, a clear vision for the growth of our party, and an unwavering belief in the values that the NDC stands for: unity, progress, and service to the people of Ghana.”
Dr. Essien’s pitch to delegates hinges on an uncommon fusion of academic distinction and trenchant party loyalty. Beyond his UCC role, he sits on the Board of the Ghana Maritime Authority and serves as Founder and CEO of Molex Foundation Africa, an outfit dedicated to community development and scientific advancement.
His credentials stretch well beyond Ghana’s borders. A former President of Postgraduate Students at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, Dr. Essien credits that tenure with sharpening his grasp of “leadership, research, and governance at an international level.”
That global recognition is underscored by a litany of awards. He received the prestigious Hammond Max Award from the American Geophysical Union in December 2019 and was named Best Scientist of the Month by the African Geophysical Union in June 2020. More recently, his work earned him the Honorary TECH Eminence Award, the NUGS Youth Ambassadors Award, and multiple Global Peace Ambassadors Awards for STEM and Education between 2025 and 2026. In April 2026, he was nominated for a Global Award in Finland, “a recognition,” he noted, “that speaks to the international standing of my work in science, education, and community service.”
Yet Dr. Essien was quick to frame his candidacy not as a technocrat’s dalliance with politics, but as the natural evolution of years of party service.
“My roots in this party go deep,” he stated. “My commitment to the NDC is not a matter of convenience; it is a matter of conviction that has been tested and proven over many years.”
He pointed to his founding of the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Tertiary Students and Associates, a platform built “from the ground up to connect young people from our constituency to education, opportunity, and national development.”
His service record dates back to 2007, when he joined the Tertiary Institutions Electoral Network at UCC. Since 2010, he says, he has “faithfully contributed personal resources to keep our structures strong at the grassroots level.”
In the 2020 elections, Dr. Essien served simultaneously on the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Campaign Team and the AAK Research Team, “contributing data-driven strategies to our electoral campaign efforts.” He also sat on the Regional Research and Intelligence Team, providing “critical analysis to support the party’s operations across the Central Region.”
Since 2022, he has been a Coopted Member of the AAK Constituency structure. In 2024, he assumed the role of Regional Deputy Welfare Director, “a role in which I work to look after the well-being of party members across the Central Region.”
He currently serves as Patron and Vetting Committee Chair of the National Union of Ghana Students.
Dr. Essien’s central argument to delegates is that the Central Regional Secretariat needs “an officer who brings both academic rigor and grassroots experience to the table.”
“As a scientist, I have been trained to gather evidence, analyze situations carefully, and communicate findings clearly,” he asserted. “These are exactly the qualities that an effective Deputy Secretary must carry into party administration, documentation, coordination, and communication.”
He pledged that, if elected, he would “help the main secretary to ensure that decisions are documented, communications are well-managed, and the administrative engine of the party runs without a fault.”
“I pledge to bring transparency, dedication, and professionalism to the office,” Dr. Essien vowed. “I will work collaboratively with all party structures, respect the diversity of opinion within our ranks, and channel every resource at my disposal, intellectual, professional, and personal, toward the advancement of the NDC in the Central Region.”
Framing himself as a unifier, Dr. Essien closed with a direct appeal to the party’s delegates:
“I am Dr. Patrick Essien, scientist, educator, community builder, and proud son of the NDC. I humbly ask for your trust, your support, and your vote. Together, we will build a stronger, more united, and more effective party structure in the Central Region.”
The NDC Central Region is expected to hold its executive elections later this year, with the Deputy Secretary race now set to be one of the most closely watched contests, pitting Dr. Essien’s technocratic-meets-grassroots brand against other aspirants.