Strong undercurrents blowing within the Ketu South constituency wing of the ruling National Democratic Congress could see Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Fifi Kwetey enter parliament at the expense of incumbent, Albert Zigah.
Zigah is in his second term in parliament as representative of the constituents who have in the past voted so massively for the NDC even in the party�s stronghold Volta Region, otherwise called its �World Bank.�
But for politics and its intriguing upsets, the question of the NDC retaining the Ketu South seat could be as predictable as Ghana going to the polls again come December 2012.
In 1996 for instance, out of a total turnout of 77.7%, the NDC scooped a massive 68.9 percent; in 2000 turnout was 53.9% but again the NDC grabbed 86.1 percent of the lot. Come 2004 and the NDC would scoop 68.4 percent from a turnout of 88.0 percent while in the 2008 polls, the party scored the highest of 89.7 percent from a turnout of 62.9%. If the trend is anything to go by, then the seat should sit pretty easy with the party.
But journalist Agbeko Ben Kofie reports that while Fifi Kwetey is unwilling to confirm or deny any intent on the seat, word in the constituency is that he may not need to exert himself much to win the party�s mandate to represent it in the general elections.
�Zigah has a very good relationship with the party executives in the constituency and that may be Mr. Kwetey�s battle. I do not know very much of his own relations with them but you have a lot of people readily mentioning his name as their likely choice if he files to contest. It sounds like a spontaneous acclaim. Many think Zigah is too quiet and want someone more vibrant, youthful and aggressive to fight their cause.�
Among Fifi�s advantages, his supporters note, are his youthfulness and position as a member of the ruling government, a position they believe could be leveraged for great opportunities for the people and bring transformation to the area.
Another point of reference that could work for Fifi Kwetey (more as a reward for a mother�s legacy), is the Beno�s Maternity Home at Aflao, a clinic set up by his mother who recently passed away and which has served and continues to serve as home for many within and outside the constituency.
Fifi himself, a thoroughbred NDC since its formation in 1992, has served as president of the University of Ghana branch in 1992, a founding member of the NDC Youth Forum while the party was in opposition, aide to former President Jerry Rawlings and more recently as propaganda secretary of the party.
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