'Big Boys' join NPP race

Some interesting but ‘big' names are popping up as likely contestants in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

They include the names of George Andah, former Chief Operating Officer of Glo Ghana and a leading member of pressure group, OccupyGhana.

The rest include lawyer Phillip Addison, one of the lead counsel for the NPP in the 2012 Election Petition and his colleague Egbert Faibille Jnr, journalist Kenneth Adjei Kuranchie, who is the Managing Editor of the 'Daily Searchlight' newspaper, former host of Joy FM's 'Super Morning Show', Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and former TV anchor, Gifty Anti of Ghana Television (GTV).

With the exception of Lawyer Philip Addison, who has openly shown interest and started campaigning, the rest have not declared their intentions publicly, even though they are all said to be nursing the ambition to become MPs on the ticket of the NPP.

In the case of George Andah, he has not only expressed interest but indeed confirmed his intention to contest the Ewutu Senya West parliamentary primary.

The seat is currently occupied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Hannah Tetteh.

His candidature was given a tacit endorsement by OccupyGhana yesterday when news of his decision went public, with a statement saying, "OccupyGhana is equally satisfied and excited that George has decided to take his rare qualities another step; this time into mainstream politics to occupy Parliament in order to help change the dwindling fortunes of this country."v

For them, "Ghana is richer for a person like him making a sacrifice of leadership. Who is better placed to help Ghana work, than one of our own in the forefront? People like George make us believe Ghana will work again."

They therefore see it as "a blessing because we believe this gives him the opportunity to have direct influence in making sure Ghana works. We believe that as a member of OccupyGhana, George will be guided by the ethics, principles, values and qualities of OccupyGhana and make a significant, positive impact that will make Ghana work. Indeed, we promise George that as a member of OccupyGhana, we shall hold him to that task."

Lawyer Addison is facing stiff opposition from young Nii Noi Nortey who resigned his position as constituency chairman for Klottey Korley sometime last week to enable him contest in the upcoming primary.

Lawyer Egbert Faibille Jnr, who happens to be the former Editor-in-Chief of the 'Ghanaian Observer' newspaper, is also said to be monitoring closely developments in the NPP and would stick his neck out to contest the Weija/Gbawe constituency primary if the party sets aside its earlier decision to disallow men from contesting any of their 16 incumbent female Members of Parliament (MP) in the upcoming primary scheduled for May 24, 2015.

The seat is currently occupied by Madam Rosemond Comfort Abrah who became MP in the last elections held in 2012.

Also lurking in the shadows is journalist Kenneth Adjei Kuranchie who is said to be seriously gearing up to contest in the Okaikoi North constituency primary of the NPP; all things being equal.

It is not clear if MP for the area, Elizabeth Sackey, third time, even though, that option still remains open.

The name of Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has also emerged as likely to contest in Ofoase-Ayirebi on the ticket of the NPP.

He resigned as host of Joy FM's flagship programme sometime last year to do his own business and has since remained underground for some time with few public appearances.

The young man is said to be enjoying a lot of support on the ground and is likely to unsettle incumbent MP for the area, David Oppon-Kusi, if he indeed decides to run for the position.

Even though not much is known about her political ambitions, sources have also said Madam Gifty Anti is likely to contest in the primary of Ajumako constituency.

That, however, awaits a declaration of intent to confirm the growing speculation.