NPP primaries: Desmond Appiah files nomination to take-over Offinso-South parliamentary seat

Mr Desmond Chris Appiah, a strong contender in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Offinso-South constituency of the Ashanti Region has filed his nomination forms in a bid to lead the party in the 2020 general elections.

Mr Appiah who is the C40 City Advisor/Chief Sustainability and Resilience Advisor to the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah will be battling it out for the second time with the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Ben Abdallah Banda. Mr Desmond Appiah was one of the aspirants that contested the 2015 primaries ahead of the 2016 general election.

Accompanied by members of the party, sympathizers and friends clad in party paraphernalia Mr Appiah soon after submitting his forms, promised to spearhead development in the area should he be elected to lead the party and subsequently win the seat come December 2020.

"When elected I will work to build a common vision that will drive what we strive for as sons and daughters of Offinso. Offinso's potential for growth must be harnessed to serve its people and beyond" he said.

He said his experience in the organization would help in strengthening the party structures in the constituency and bring onboard all disgruntled party faithful to re-establish Offinso as a stronghold of NPP. Described by supporters as a unifier, he said bringing all citizens that have the development of Offinso at heart together would make it possible to strive for "Offinso Beyond Aid", harnessing the energies and resources for the good of all.

"I have supported the constituency party communication team, women's wing, youth wing, TESCON and main executives over the years to ensure we build a strong party base in the constituency," he said.

He expressed his appreciation to the youth and supporters for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to continue to be accessible, engaging and provide real leadership when he gets the nod.

Some party supporters who accompanied Mr Appiah disclosed that he had supported the party and the constituency in the area of education, health, sports, sanitation, employment, adding his track record depicts one who could bring NPP together and make the party more attractive for the youth as he was development-oriented, focused and affable.

They alleged that the constituency had retrogressed in terms of development since Mr Banda became the MP in the last 12 years and promised the incumbent a "no vote" if he insisted on contesting.

"Since he became MP, youth unemployment and school dropouts have soared just as indiscipline and all kinds of social vices have increased. It is clear that the MP has been rejected by the electorate in the Constituency” they said, adding that if it was not the introduction of many general social interventions by President Akufo Addo's administration across the country, there was nothing that the incumbent MP could point to as his initiative to help develop the Constituency.

They described Mr Desmond Appiah's entry into the race, as a new dawn of hope for the constituency and appealed to delegates to vote massively for him.

The ruling New Patriotic Party is expected to hold Parliamentary primaries in areas where it has sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) on April 25, 2020.

The NPP has I69 sitting Members of Parliament out of the total number of 275 seats.