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A total of 36 candidates, including eight sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), have filed their nominations to contest in the impending parliamentary primaries in the Upper West Region on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Two veteran MPs, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, Minister of Defence and MP for Nandom and Mathias Puozaa, MP for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, have decided not to contest in the primaries to give new candidates the chance to compete. In the Wa Central Constituency, the incumbent and Minister of State responsible for Public Private Partnership (PPP), Dr. Abdul- Rashid Pelpuo is being challenged by four candidates, including Dr. Musheibu Mohammed Alfa, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister. The rest of are: Iddrisu Mahama, former Upper West Regional Director of Education, Wahidu Banpuori Iddrisu and Jamaldeen Kukurah. One of Ghana�s longest serving MPs, Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament and MP for Nadowli-Kaleo is being challenged by three candidates Roger Gaalee, a lecturer at the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), John Baptist and David Jawara Banye. Joseph Yiereh Chireh, a veteran MP is contesting in the primaries with Seidu Tungbani, a former District Chief Executive and Pharuk Bandanaa in the Wa West Constituency. For the Sissala West, incumbent Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, who doubles as the Upper West Regional Minister, is being challenged by Mary Hagbana Abu Azantilow, a businesswoman. The Wa East MP, Ameen Salifu is being challenged by Dr. Henry Seidu Dannaa, the Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs Minister, who is seeking to enhance his Curriculum Vitae (CV) as the first visually impaired Minister and hopefully MP as well. Mathias Puozaa retires as MP for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa paving the way for four other candidates namely Abu Kabiebata Kansangbata, former Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, Lawra District Director of Health Services and Lt. Col. Bathuure Walter (Rtd) as well as Michael Kombor. Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, MP for Nandom, has also withdrawn from the race and given his blessings to Cuthbert Baba Kuupiel, Nandom District Chief Executive to contest Dr. Richard Kun-Ere, a former Director�General of Ghana Prisons Service and Dr. Luke Anle-Ere. Edward Dery Kaale-Ewola, MP for Lambussie, is gunning for the seat with Macelleneus Kandy Welber. Bede Ziedeng, a former Upper West Regional Minister and Pascal B. Dery, Lawra District Chief Executive will be challenging Samson Abu, the incumbent for the Lawra seat. In Sissala East, Alijata Sulemani is facing stiff opposition from four candidates namely; Madam Jamilatu Ibrahim; Johnson Juasuglo Sabbour, Sissala East District Chief Executive, Mohammed Bataglia Issah and Nuhu Limann who have filed their nominations. The Jirapa Constituency has Dr. Francis Bawaana Dakurah, former MP, Vivien-Nelly Kunko, former District Chief Executive, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, a lawyer, battling to reclaim the seat from Paul Derigubaa, an independent MP for Jirapa. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa, Adams Mengu Issahaq, NDC Upper West Regional Organizer, urged the candidates to conduct clean campaigns based on ideas and not personalities.