Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Maxwell Kofi Jumah has indicated his preparedness to ‘sacrifice’ his political ambitions for the interest of his party.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) as part of enhancing affirmative action in Ghana’s politics announced in a release that sitting female Members of Parliament (MPs) should not be contested.
“The meeting (NEC meeting) also adopted a proposal for only female aspirants to contest the 16 female Members of Parliament in their respective constituencies…,” portions of a release signed by party General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong read.
This directive, it has been opined would discourage males in the constituencies with Parliamentary ambitions. And Kofi Ghana as he is commonly known is one of such persons as the Asokwa seat he seeks to re-contest is occupied by a female MP, Patricia Appiagyei.
She defeated Kofi Ghana by 275 to 139 votes in a Parliamentary primary organised in May 2011.
Describing the idea on Affirmative Action as another step in enhancing women involvement in politics, the former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Chief Executive said that he is prepared to sacrifice his personal ambitions for the larger party interest.
“I support the idea for women to be involved in politics and come to parliament…I am willing to sacrifice for the party…,” he said on Accra-based Oman Fm.
He further commended the leadership of the party for such a decision.
“Our leaders are deep thinkers and have come out with a wise decision except to say that it could have been done in another way…I can’t say I should come to Parliament by all means so I should disrespect the rules and directives of the party.
As for sacrificing for the party, I have done it in the past, I am willing to do it again…except to say that it should be executed in tandem with the law…,” he said
He called on all such people affected by the decision to respect the decision since it is in the interest of the NPP party.
However, one of the affected, Abdullah Bonsu who sought to contest NPP parliamentary primary in Awutu-Senya in the Central which is occupied by a female MP, Hawa Koomson called on the leadership of NPP to reconsider their decision.
He pledged said he would consult with his campaign team and come out at the appropriate with his final decision regarding the new regulations in the party.
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