Two Ministers And 12 DCEs To Contest Parliamentary Polls In Ashanti

Two Ministers and 12 Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) have received the nod to contest the 2012 parliamentary elections in the Ashanti Region. Dr Joseph Oteng-Adjei, Energy Minister, and Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Regional Minister, were returned unopposed to contest for the Bosomtwe and the Atwima-Mponua seats. Messrs Daniel Appau-Ohyeamang, Noah Asante, and John Ackon, Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) for Asante-Mampong, Bekwai and Obuasi, respectively, also received the endorsement by delegates of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). The rest are Messrs Kwaku Oppong-Kyekyeku Kaakyire, DCE for Afigya-Kwabre, Robert Bennet Forkuo, Amansie Central, Kwame Adarkwa, Bosome-Freho, Ebenezer Akuoko Frimpong, Sekyere Central, Samuel Kofi Appiah Kubi, Offinso North, Anthony Nyame, Atwima-Kwanwoma, Anthony Kwasi Ayarkwa, Sekyere South, and De-Graft Fokuo, Asante-Akim South. Their colleagues in the Ahafo-Ano North, Adansi North, Kwabre East, Amansie West and Sekyere East were, however, defeated at the primary elections held at the weekend. The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executives for Ejisu-Juaben and Offinso, alongside the DCEs for Atwima-Nwabiagya, Bosomtwe and Atwima-Mponua did not contest. In all, three women managed to secure parliamentary tickets of the NDC in the 39 constituencies. They are Ms Akua Afriyie, Offinso-South, Ms Memuna Kabore, Tafo, and Madam Vida Addae, Ejisu-Juaben. Mr Yaw Owusu-Obimpeh, the NDC Regional Chairman, hailed the successful conduct of the primaries and said the job ahead was to pull resources together to ensure a resounding electoral victory in 2012.