Space FM, Drobo - Intense but interesting parliamentary campaign are unfolding in the Jaman South constituency in the Brong-Ahafo region where the incumbent MP, Hon. Anna Nyamekye, accused of not doing her best to influence the dwindling of agricultural activities in the area despite the fact that she is the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, is seeking re-election.
The main source of occupation in Jaman South Constituency is farming and its related activities such as live stock production, but citizens interviewed are of the view that having been appointed as minister of Agriculture most of the farmers thought that their MP will use her office to transform their agricultural activities but that did not happened.
An NPP executive member who said he even helped Hon. Nyamekye to win the seat on two occassions said that agriculture activities have moved from better to worse,
"There are no markets for farm producce in the area, vegetables alway get rotten because of non-existent of markets for them and these farmers are still using the primitive ways of farming, which is a blemish on the Minister’s record", he added.
The Jaman South race promises to be very exciting because six people are set to contest the seat on the ticket of NPP, which is the highest number so far recorded in the region, all seeking to replace the only female MP in the region currently.
One of the favorite aspirants is Mr. Prince Yeboah Marfo, a 50 year old educationist and Vice Principal (administration) of the Berekum Training College.
Mr. Marfo believes that the time has come for him to reform the NPP in the constituency by harnessing the energies and experience of both pioneers and current functionaries of the party and to speed up human resource development by improving the quality and access to education at all levels.
Among the visions of Mr. Marfo are to make agriculture more lucrative and rewarding, to improve access to healthcare delivery in the constituency and to accelerate infrastructural development as well as improving the general business environment in the area.
Mr. Marfo who describes himself as a foundation member of the ruling NPP, has been a constituency chairman on three occassions. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Danquah-Busia Memorial Club at Drobo.
The educationist told Space FM that his desire to enter into National Politics began in 1985 after the brutal murder of Kyereme Djan who was a friend, and a student of the then University of Science and Technology (UST) Kumasi by the PNDC government.
"I played key roles in the students’ agitations against the PNDC military Junta in the 1990’s", he recalled.
Mr. Marfo has also taken interest in children education - he in collaboration with the Voice of Deliverance Ministry established the Voice of Deliverance Preparatory and Junior High School at Berekum. This school according to him has enrollment of more than eight hundred (800) pupils.
A part from investing in education, he has also established a Sachet Water Plant at Drobo called PRINMARS Filtered Drinking Water, which employs more ten direct workers and over hundred indirect workers.
Born on 24th September, 1958 at Adioko No-2, he was initially known as Prince Omar Marfo during his secondary school days but later changed his name to Prince Yeboah Marfo after his conversion to Christianity. Marfo had his education at Sunyani Secondary School and had his first degree at University of Cape Coast.
His university education took him five (5) years to complete due to the then students uprising against the PNDC regime which sent all university students home for almost one year. He he left the university in 1987 and obtained an Honors Degree in Economics and Geography and Diploma in Education.
After teaching at the Berekum Training College,upon completing his National Service, Mr Marfo did his masters Degree in Education Administration by Sandwich from 2005 to 2006.
Inspite of his ‘achievements and laudable visions’ there are six aspirants to beat before he can become the party's parliamentary candidate for the December polls.
Mr. Yaw Marma Afful is another contender who appears to be in a very "comfortable" position because of his wealth. He is also prepared to go extra the length to win the primaries.
Mr. Afful who is based in USA is currently in the constituency wooing the delegates to vote for him.
Another aspirant, Mr. Agyare also came from Japan, ‘tested the waters’ went for nomination forms, left and nothing has since been heard or seen from him.
Others believe that the display of Mr. Afful scared him away since “ the Japanese Yen could not match the American Dollars” .
Mr. Kofi Adinkra has also gone for his nomination forms and is expected to file by the close of this week. Mr. Adinkra works at the VAT Office in Accra.
Madam Florence Boadi, a tutor at the Sunyani Senior High Secondary School, has also picked nomination forms. Little is known about her.
The Incumbent Hon. Anna Nyamekye is seriously seeking for re-election after two terms in parliament. She would however need to do a lot more to convince the delegates.
Sunyani based Lawyer Tuah Yeboah, the youngest among the aspirants believes that the youth should also be given the chance to make impacts in the parliament.
All the seven are expectd to file by the close of the month.
