Catherine Afeku submits nomination forms to retain Evalue Gwira seat

Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency in the Western Region, Catherine Abelema Afeku has submitted her nomination forms to seek re-election in the NPP's parliamentary primaries.

The Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency has been one of the swing areas which has swayed to the direction of both opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Catherine Afeku who is seeking for re-election for the third time, won the parliamentary seat for the first time for NPP in 2008 but lost it to NDC in 2012 and came back to win it in 2016.

The seat is being currently occupied by Catherine Afeku who is also the Minister of State at the Senior Minister Office.

On record, no sitting Member of Parliament for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency has won the seat for continuous two terms but Catherine Afeku had vowed to break the jinx.

"No sitting MP has won this seat continuous but this time around, I am going to break the jinx in recognition for late Paa Grant one of the founding fathers of UGCC", she promised.

The NPP is expected to conduct its parliamentary primaries for sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

The party has already elected more than 95 parliamentary candidates who would be contesting on its ticket in orphan constituencies (areas the party does not have sitting MPs).

The same April 25, 2020 date would also be used to elect a flag-bearer for the party for Election 2020.

Catherine Afeku was accompanied by over 600 delegates and party faithful to file her forms and other relevant documents to the Constituency Parliamentary Election Committee over the weekend, amidst brass band music and dance.

She was also accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area Hon Frank Okpenyen, longest-serving Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency who served the area from 2021 to 2009, Albert Kwaku Obbin, and almost the Constituency Executives.

Speaking to the gathering after submitting her nomination forms to the Parliamentary Election Committee at the party office at Axim Community Center, Mrs. Afeku thanked the party faithful for the confidence reposed in her to lead the party into the December 7 parliamentary election.

She called on them to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks and abusive language.

Mrs. Afeku took the opportunity to tout some achievements the Akufo-Addo-led government has chalked and some ongoing projects in the Constituency.

The following are ongoing projects she highlighted; construction of Axim Sea Defence Wall, construction of Sports Stadium and Youth Center at Axim, construction of cocoa board office at Gwira Aiyinasi, construction of fishing harbour at Axim, construction of ECG District Office at Axim, construction of Gwira roads, construction of Nsien Township roads, provision of scholarships, provision of jobs to some unemployed youth in the area.

On his part, the former Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni-Valley, Albert Kwaku Obbin testified that in 2008 Mrs. Catherine Afeku did well when she was a Spokesperson for Government Infrastructure.

He said Mrs. Afeku was a hardworking woman and a lobbyist.

The former MP said he had witnessed the current projects Mrs. Afeku was doing at the Gwira area.

"In fact, Hon. Catherine Afeku is doing well and I have seen it, the last time I went to Gwira area and saw cocoa roads being constructed and if these are completed, we the people of Prestea will also benefit", he emphasized.