Stephen Ayesu Ntim – National Chairman
Stephen Ayesu Ntim, elected as the national chairman of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), had to go through four electoral defeats and two decades of trying to secure his current position. He is a man of few words and prefers to stay behind the scenes.
Going into the December polls, unifying the NPP is top of the list of priorities for Ntim, who describes himself as a “loyal servant”. The 65-year-old said he would work extra hard to resolve any differences within the party and among its members as well as ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities and rewarding hard work.
“NPP is the only party we have. Together, we can,” Ntim wrote on Facebook during the party’s presidential primaries.
Facts about Stephen Ayesu Ntim
1. Tutoring French in the 1980s
Ntim did his national service at the Kaneshie Secondary Technical School between 1984 and 1986 as a French tutor. Born into the political landscape, his early engagement with the Danquah-Busia Club, which later transformed into the NPP in 1992, laid the foundation for his enduring commitment to the party.
2. Education
Ntim is a product of the University of Ghana, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Linguistics in 1984. Furthering his studies, he obtained an MBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Minnesota, US, in 1991. He also holds a Diplôme Supérieur d’Etudes Françaises (1982) from the Université Nationale de la Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan. He had his GCE O-Level education at Asanteman Secondary School (1977), Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, and A-Level education at Navrongo Secondary School (1979) in the Upper East Region.
3. Politics of resilience
A bankroller of the NPP, Ntim’s political journey began with him serving as the NPP’s first vice chairman from 2001 to 2005. Despite contesting the chairmanship position four times without success, his resilience paid off after 21 years when delegates gave him the nod in July 2022 to succeed Freddie Blay. He previously served as a member of the party’s national campaign as well as national coordinator of elections.
4. Career in engineering
With more than 20 years of experience as a systems engineer, Ntim’s professional journey spans roles at Electronic Data Systems (EDS Inc) in Michigan, US, (1993-1995) and executive positions in Ghana, showcasing his versatile expertise. Prior to that, he trained as a programmer and analyst at St. Paul Fire and Marine in St. Paul, Minnesota, US.
5. Corporate engagements
Ntim has held directorial positions in various companies, including BINSCO Associates and Aqua Drill Services. His leadership extends to serving as chairman of the board of trustees for the Heritage Protection Foundation, emphasising his commitment to preserving Ghanaian culture. He was also a board member of the Electricity Company of Ghana from 2007 to 2009.
6. Anti-LGBTQ+ stance
Ntim is known for his staunch stance against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) persons and support groups in Ghana. “I want to state emphatically, without any fear, that the NPP that I chair will never support the acts of LGBTQ+,” Ntim told a church gathering.
7. Social services
Beyond politics and corporate responsibilities, Ntim actively engages in social services. He is a member of the National Black MBA Association, Minnesota Chapter, US, and plays significant roles in the Association of Methodist Church Choirs and Methodist Men’s Fellowship in Accra. His involvement in the Wamfie Youth Association as a life patron reflects his dedication to regional development.
8. Lands Commission leadership
Appointed as the national chairman of the Lands Commission, Ntim’s expertise in management information systems positions him to drive the digital transformation agenda for land service delivery in Ghana. His diverse background indicates a multifaceted leader contributing to both political and socio-economic spheres.
From : The Africa Report
