VR constituency primaries are crucial tests for NPP - Minister

Ho, Dec. 1, GNA - The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa on Monday observed that the conduct and outcome of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) constituency primaries in the region were crucial litmus tests for the party's chances in next year's elections.

He said it was important to ensure that transparency, fairness and impartiality prevailed in accordance with the party's constitution in the selection of parliamentary candidates who command the confidence of the electorate. Mr Owusu-Yeboa said this when interacting with newsmen on issues concerning the conduct of party's constituency primaries in the region.

He is contesting against Mr Edward Collins Kwame Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Council for the Boakoye parliamentary seat on the NPP's ticket.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the stature and interest of the party in the region should be the paramount consideration in every decision and action rather than personality and group interests.

He said whereas other regional branches of the party could afford to bicker about the selection of parliamentary candidates and related matters, the Volta Regional branch would be committing a serious mistake if it does not work in harmony.

He said there should be no illusions about the position of the party in the region and that the only way of succeeding in the region would be through unity. As to why he petitioned the NPP National Executive over the exclusion of some polling station officers of the party from Biakoye constituency primaries, he said it was his right and duty to do so.

He said the decision to vote or not to vote at the primaries should be left to the prospective delegates to decide as it was not justifiable to deny them that right since whoever won the party's parliamentary candidacy would have to fall on the delegates to prosecute his campaign.

"How do you disenfranchise the very people you would need to carry out your campaign?" he asked.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said it was not in the party's interest for candidates to be foisted on the electorate through deliberate manipulation.