NDC vets aspirants in Western Region

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday started vetting more than 70 parliamentary aspirants in the Western Region.

The event is aimed at scrutinizing the various aspirants who filed their nominations to contest in the Party’s primary on November 7, whether they qualify.

The Western Regional Secretary of the Party, Mr. Joseph Nelson, told the media in Takoradi that, the aspirants had been divided into three zones namely, the northern, central and southern zones; therefore, they would be vetted based on the zone they fell under.

He said the Committee would start vetting those in the northern zone which comprised constituencies such as Bia West and East, Sefwi-Bodi, Juaboso, Sefwi-Wiawso and Sefwi-Ankontombra, Aowin and Suaman.

The central zone will follow, which included constituencies such as Amenfi West, Amenfi East, Amenfi Central, Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea Huni/Valley.

The vetting of the last group would be made up of those in the southern zone, which included Ahanta West, Mpohor, Ellembelle, Ajomoro-Evalue/Gwira, Wassa East, Shama, Essikadu/Ketan, Sekondi, Takoradi, Effia and Kewsimintsim.

The vetting is expected to end around 2100 hours on Friday.

Mr. Nelson disclosed that the Committee had received nine petitions from members of the Party challenging the qualification of some of the aspirants.

He said the issues raised in the petitions would be dealt with during the vetting and those concerned would be required to answer accordingly.

The aspirants comprise 70 males and three females in 26 constituencies in the Region.

Some notable names that are facing stiff competition in their constituencies include the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso, who is facing three other aspirants namely, Dr. Amoako, Mr. Thomas Armah and Mr. Adansi Bondah.

Former Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Captain (Retired) Anthony Cudjoe, is also being contested by four others in the Sekondi Constituency including, Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, former Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Assifuah, Mr. Armah Nyamekye and Madam Charlotte Odum.

Mr. Alfred Ekow Gyan, the Deputy Regional Minister, is being challenged by Madam Janet Ansah, a business woman in the Takoradi Constituency.

In Ahanta West Constituency, Mr. George Kwame Aboagye, the incumbent MP is being challenged by Mr. Sam Pee Yalley, who is currently serving as Ghana’s Ambassador in India, while Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akando, MP for Juaboso is facing stiff competition from Mr. John Mbe.

The Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is being contested by Mr. Mieza Mea Alleah in the Ellembelle Constituency, while Mr. Oppong Fosu, former Minster for Local Government and Rural Development, is being contested by Mr. Alexander Baidoo in the Amenfi East.

The Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and MP for Sefwi-Bodi, Mr. Sampson Ahi is facing opposition from Mr. Owusu Ansah.

Seven persons picked nominations forms in the Jomoro Constituency namely, Samuel Armah Ndeblay, Ellamoh Yankey Thomas, James Affum, Alexander Yao Hedidor, Leo Kofi Armah Amelemah, Francis Aketsia Kwadu and Henry Awuku Alimah.

Other parliamentary aspirants include Mr. Joe Mensah, Abby Harts and Patrick Harley in Essikadu-Ketan Constituency.

In Amenfi Central, three persons are contesting including Kwakye Ackah, Emmanuel Intiakoh and Alfred Amuah.

In Mpohor, two persons are slotting it out including one party activist Awortwi and Eric Kwaku Kyeremeh while Amenfi West had six aspirants namely, Erick Afful, Gordon Sarfo Adu,John Gyetuah,Peter Addo and George Dadxie Junior.

In Aowin, there are seven contestants including Patrick Cobbinah, Kwame Ntow Mathias, Dr. Joseph Nyensu, Nana Meisu Adu, Frank Kwakukyi Ackah and Mr. Oscar Ofori Larbi, the district chief executive for the area.

Seth Kwame Dzokoto, a renowned radio presenter, is contesting in Tarkwa constituency with Thomas Otchere as the sole contender while Mr Stephen Ackah and Emmanuel Assiako are contesting in Suaman Constituency.

In Bia West, the incumbent MP. Mr. Michael Boampong is being challenged by four others including Mr. Kobina Tweneboah Koduah,the immediate past District Chief Executive for the area, Mustapha Abudu,Augustine Tawiah and Alexandere Senwu.

Two persons are sorting it out at Effia including Mr. Mohammed Ali and Michael Otoo while three persons are contesting in Prestea Huni/Valley namely, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, Kwesi Blay and Seidu Essilfie.