NPP completes vetting of parliamentary aspirants in Western Region

Takoradi, April 2, GNA 97 The Western Regional Parliamentary Vetting Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has completed the vetting of 45 parliamentary aspirants to contest the party's primaries slated for April 30.

The NPP Regional Secretary, Mr. K. K Sam told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Takoradi that the results of the vetting as well as those qualified to contest the primaries would be made public soon.

He said three Members of Parliament (MPs) in the region who are Mr Joe Ghartey of the Essikadu-Kentan Constituency, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Amenfi East and Madam Catherine Affeiku, Evalue Gwira would contest unopposed.

The Regional Secretary said three incumbent MPs would also not contest their seats again. They are Mr Joe Baidoe Ansah, Effia-Kwesimintsim Constituency, Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Mpohor Wassa East and Mr Christopher Addai, Bibiani Ahwianso Bekwai. Mr Sam said some MPs including Papa Owusu Ankomah of the Sekondi Constituency, Mr Samuel Johnfiah, Ahanta West, Mr Kobina Okyere Darko-Mensah, Takoradi Constituency and Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, Tarkwa-Nsuaem were facing stiff opposition from contenders. He said some constituencies had only one person each picking up nomination forms and were likely to contest unopposed. In the Ellembelle constituency, Mr Kwasi Bonzo is the only person who has gone for nomination forms and in the Jomoro constituency, Mr Joseph Ewunia.

He said in the Bibiani Ahwianso Bekwai constituency, Mr Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu was the only one who had picked nomination forms, in Effia-Kwesimintsim Constituency, Mr Joseph Cudjoe and Dr Kwaku Afriyie for Sefwi Wiawso.

The Regional Secretary noted that after the result has been released, any aspirant who might be disqualified could appeal to the Regional Vetting Appeals Committee for redress and 93even proceed to the National Vetting Appeals Committee if not satisfied with the ruling at the regional level".

He said mechanisms for addressing grievances and concerns had been put in place to forestall a repetition of what happened in 2007 when many NPP parliamentary aspirants went independent affecting the party's fortunes in the 2008 Parliamentary and Presidential elections. Mr Sam said the party won 10 parliamentary seats out of the 22 seats in the region in the 2008 general election saying: 93We are determined to re- capture the three seats we lost to the National Democratic Congress in the Shama, Aowin and Prestea Huni-Valley constituencies and win additional five seats in next year's polls." He urged the rank and file of the party to throw their support behind the candidates to enable the party to have majority seats in Parliament.