MPs cocaine case generates public discussions

Sunyani, Nov. 23, GNA - The arrest of Mr. Eric Amoateng, MP for Nkoranza North in Brong Ahafo in New York, US, for alleged cocaine trafficking has drawn mixed feelings of condemnation,sympathy and generated a lot of discussions among residents in Sunyani municipality and other parts of the region.

Ghana News Agency made efforts to capture the views and opinions of some stalwart activists of the NPP as well as some community leaders about the chances of the party in a bye-election in view of the seeming puncture inflicted on the party by the MP's incarceration, but most of them shied away.

Mr. Kwame Gyamfi, former Brong-Ahafo Regional Campaign Manager of the NPP however gave assurance that the party would retain the Nkoranza North seat in any bye-election in the area.

He said considering the assistance that Mr. Amoateng gave to his people and the region as a whole, the party would win sympathy votes from the electorate to retain the seat.

Mr. Gyamfi was speaking to Ghana News Agency in Sunyani on Wednesday in the wake of the general perception that there would be a bye-election in the area following the busting of the MP.

The former campaign Manager stated that the NPP won the two seats in the district in the 2004 elections due to the hard work put in by Mr. Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, MP for Nkoranza South who was the District Chief Executive.

Mr. Gyamfi said even though Mr. Amoateng belonged to the NPP fraternity, there was no need for the government to interfere in the matter to avoid public ridicule.

"Mr. Amoateng's travelling was personal and not connected to the affairs of the party", he added, describing the MP as "a very humble, calm and respectful person who no one expected would get involved in such a practice.

Reports from Nkoranza say the people are bemused and shocked about the incident but have expressed the opinion that they are solidly behind the MP in view of the tremendous development that he had brought to the area.

Some of the MP's sympathizers said they could not believe their ears when they first heard of his arrest, saying, "he is such a fine gentleman and so generous."

The MP is reported to be single-handedly sponsoring more than 100 students in basic, senior secondary and tertiary institutions.