As the New Patriotic Party parliamentary primaries enter the homestretch, fear of defeat has started creeping down the spines of some incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region at large.
One such person whose chance of retaining his seat hangs in the balance is Dr. Richard Winfred Anane, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency in Kumasi. Things have been smooth sailing for him since he became the representative of the people as the legislator, but now he is in deep trouble and has become an unhappy man in the NPP fraternity because of a stiff challenge thrown by a heavyweight contender for the NPP parliamentary ticket.
The weight of his main contender, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, who now enjoys mass following has put fears into Dr. Anane and his cronies, who have now resorted to fostering closer ties with the media.
The Enquirer newspaper gathered that the move is a campaign strategy aimed at winning more delegates into the fold of the incumbent MP, whose popularity among delegates of and party faithful in the Nhyiaeso constituency has plummelled. Some Nhyiaeso delegates interviewed were clamouring for an imminent change, saying the incumbent MP has lost his worth as the legislator for the area. Others also complained that Dr. Anane has woefully failed in addressing issues pertaining to the development of the constituency, hence the need for him to be replaced. “Dr. Anane has not done enough to lead us a parliamentarian, time is ripe for him to bow out for another person to assume the mantle in order to articulate our concerns,” a peeved delegate said.
A delegate who sought anonymity said the MP has lost the trust of constituents owing to poor human relations and his inability to get in touch with the grassroots. According to him, any attempt to give Dr. Anane another chance will spell doom for the NPPs electoral fortunes at the Nhyiaeso constituency.
Those who spoke with the Enquirer newspaper declared their unflinching support for the main contender, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko, describing her as a better option to the incumbent MP. Dr. Anane has been in parliament since 1996, first the MP for then Bantama constituency which was later divided in three, namely Bantana, Nhyiaeso and Kwadaso constituencies. He is seeking reelection for the fifth consecutive time as the NPP candidate for 2012.
