The Western Regional Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mohammed Abdul Ganiyu, has accused the regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of abuse of incumbency.
According to the regional NPP organiser, the usage of the Western Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Sekondi as the venue for the vetting of aspirants in the NDC’s upcoming primaries is not right and should not be encouraged.
He could not fathom why the Western Regional NDC abandoned their regional office in Sekondi and used a state property for their party activities.
“The move by the NDC is tantamount to abuse of incumbency, which the party is noted for, but I don’t think we should encourage it,” Ganiyu indicated in an interview.
In all, 74 aspirants contesting the 26 seats in the region were expected to appear before the vetting committee. However, one withdrew and three others who were on national assignments were absent, bringing the number to 70.
Only three of the 74 who submitted their forms are women.
Sixty-Four Cleared
At the end of the vetting process, 64 of the aspirants were cleared to contest the primaries. Two of them, one each from the Bibiani and Bodi constituencies, were disqualified.
Decisions on two aspirants, one each from the Juaboso and Ellembelle constituencies, were deferred pending further consultations with the party headquarters while that of the Evalue Gwira constituency, which involved two aspirants, was also put on hold for the same reason.
Those cleared included the Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso, who is facing three other aspirants namely, Dr Amoako, Thomas Armah and Adansi Bondah.
Former Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Captain (Rtd) Anthony Cudjoe, is also being contested by four others in the Sekondi constituency, including Betty Busumtwi-Sam, former Deputy Regional Minister, Emmanuel Assifuah, Armah Nyamekye and Charlotte Odum.
Alfred Ekow Gyan, the Deputy Regional Minister, is being challenged by Janet Ansah, a businesswoman in the Takoradi constituency.
In Ahanta West, George Kwame Aboagye, the incumbent MP, is being challenged by Sam Pee Yalley, who is currently serving as Ghana’s Ambassador in India, while Kwabena Mintah Akando, MP for Juaboso, is facing stiff competition from John Mbe.
The Minister of Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, is being contested by Mieza Mea Alleah in the Ellembelle constituency, while Oppong Fosu, former Minster for Local Government and Rural Development, is being contested by Alexander Baidoo in Amenfi East.
The Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and MP for Sefwi-Bodi, Sampson Ahi, is facing opposition from Owusu Ansah.
Seven persons picked nomination forms in the Jomoro constituency. They are Samuel Armah Ndeblay, Ellamoh Yankey Thomas, James Affum, Alexander Yao Hedidor, Leo Kofi Armah Amelemah, Francis Aketsia Kwadu and Henry Awuku Alimah.
Other parliamentary aspirants include Joe Mensah, Abby Harts and Patrick Harley in Essikadu-Ketan constituency.
In Amenfi Central, three people—Kwakye Ackah, Emmanuel Intiakoh and Alfred Amuah—are contesting.
In Mpohor, one party activist, Awortwi and Eric Kwaku Kyeremeh are slugging it out while Amenfi West has five aspirants, namely Erick Afful, Gordon Sarfo Adu, John Gyetuah, Peter Addo and George Dadxie Junior.
In Aowin, there are six contestants, namely Patrick Cobbinah, Kwame Ntow Mathias, Dr Joseph Nyensu, Nana Meisu Adu, Frank Kwakukyi Ackah and Oscar Ofori Larbi, the District Chief Executive for the area.
Seth Kwame Dzokoto, a renowned radio presenter, is contesting in Tarkwa constituency with Thomas Otchere as the sole contender while Stephen Ackah and Emmanuel Assiako are contesting in Suaman constituency.
In Bia West, the incumbent MP, Michael Boampong, is being challenged by four others including Kobina Tweneboah Koduah, the immediate past District Chief Executive for the area, Mustapha Abudu, Augustine Tawiah and Alexandere Senwu.
Two persons are slugging it out at Effia while three persons, namely Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, Kwesi Blay and Seidu Essilfie, are contesting in Prestea Huni/Valley.
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