Six aspirants will contest unopposed in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Ashanti Region.
The details of the aspirants are below:
- Samuel Aboagye – Obuasi East Constituency
- Joseph Azumah – Akrofuom Constituency
- Samuel Prempeh Jnr. – Bekwai Constituency
- Kwasi Amankwah – Kumawu Constituency
- Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil – Old Tafo Constituency
- Hamzah Swallah – Manhyia North Constituency
No disqualification
The regional secretary of the party, Frank Amoakohene, said no candidate was disqualified. All 85 parliamentary aspirants (71 men and 14 women) from the region’s 36 constituencies have been vetted in a three-day exercise.
There were five petitions challenging the credibility of some aspirants, but they have been cleared.
Amoakohene said “for the record, no aspirant was disqualified… All the aspirants will duly represent the party in full capacity. We are sure that the next government would be formed by the NDC and whoever represents us will have Ghana at heart.
“We want to assure the people in the Ashanti Region that we are ready to wrestle power from the NPP.”
The candidates are now set to embark on an intense campaign ahead of the race. The election process is, however, on hold in 11 constituencies, including the Sekyere Afram Plains and Manso Adubia contituencies.
Amoakohene says the party will settle on a new date to start the process, pending a decision by the national executive committee.
Security reinforced
There was a charged atmosphere amid heavy security as aspirants for the Asawase constituency took their turn in the vetting process.
The incumbent member of parliament (MP) for the constituency, Muntaka Mubarak, and his contender, Masawudu Mubarick, have been vetted selected their positions on the ballot.
Supporters of both aspirants thronged the vetting centre amid chants in a contest that is attracting a lot of attention in the region.
Mubarak, who got the first position on the ballot told journalists that the support he received from the party members during and after the vetting is a sign of endorsement of his retention as the MP.
He said “you don’t get people to continue to support you after two decades of being a member of parliament. For people to continue to support me after two decades, then it means there is something that I am doing right. I only thank Allah for all that he has done for me and I know Allah is not yet done with me.”
“We need change”
Supporters of Mubarick chanted “we need change” when they entered the premises. Mubarick insists that he is the right person to bring the change party members are yearning for in the Asawase Constituency.
He said “today, democracy has triumphed… I picked number 2. The journey has just begun. What we mean by change is we need progress for the people of Asawase. The constituency needs an MP who is corruption-free and that is what the change symbolizes.”
The party has set 13 May for its presidential and parliamentary elections.
Reporting by Jonathan Ofori, in the Ashanti Region
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