81 to contest NDC primaries in Eastern Region

Eighty-one candidates including 72 males and nine females are to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in the Eastern Region on November 7 in the 33 constituencies.

The candidates include two Deputy Ministers, Mr Baba Jamal, Deputy Minister of Employment and labour Relations and Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, who is seeking re-election, while Ms Mavis Frimpong, Deputy Regional Minister is contesting Abirem primary.

Two regional executives, Mr Ranford Boakye, Regional Organiser is contesting New Juaben South and Mr Appau Wiredu, Regional Youth Organiser, New Juaben North.

Six incumbent MPs seeking re-election are Mr Jeff Tetteh-Kavianu, Upper Manya Krobo, Mr Kofi Amoatey, Yilo Krobo, Mr Ebenezer Okletey-Terlabi, Lower-Manya, Mr Joseph Sam Amankwanor, Upper-West Akim, Mr Aboagye Didier, Afram Plains North and Mr Joseph Appiah, Afram Plains South.

The list also includes five municipal and district chief executives - Mr Afari Djan, Aburi, Andrew Soda, Yilo-Krobo, Abass Fuseini Sbabe, Fanteakwa, Samuel Acolatse, Lower-Manya Krobo and Peter Asirifi, East Akim.

Constituencies known to be strongholds of the opposition New Patriotic Party such as Akyem Oda, Akyem Achiase, Okere, New Juaben North, Abirem and Atiwa East and West are being contested unopposed by the candidates, while the seven strongholds of the NDC such as Afram Plains North and South and Lower-Manya Krobo, are being contested by a number of candidates.