Wenchihene endorses ‘Boafuo’ Kojo Frempong’s Wenchi NPP parliamentary candidature
The Wenchihene made the public endorsement when Kojo Frempong, and his team called on him ahead of the NPP primaries on 2 December
His Royal Highness, Osagyefo Amoapong Ampem Anye Tabarako III, the Paramount Chief of Wenchi traditional area in the Bono Region has endorsed Kojo Frempong, a candidate in the upcoming primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the best option for the party and the person who can lead the renaissance of the town.
The Wenchihene made the public endorsement in his court when Kojo Frempong, affectionately called ‘Boafuo’ (the helper) and his team called on him for his blessings in the upcoming NPP Parliamentary primaries scheduled for Saturday, 2 December 2023 in ‘orphan’ constituencies around the country or constituencies where the party has not got sitting members of Parliament.
“I have listened to your vision,” said H.R.H Osagyefo Ampem Anye Tabarako III. “It really gladdens my heart and I know you can deliver it.”
The vision referred to by Wenchihene is the ‘Make Wenchi Great Again’ platform that Boafuo Kojo Frempong is running on. The former Programs Director at the Ministry of Business Development and Media Personality told the ruler of Wenchi, that he envisaged a return of Wenchi to her glory days when it was the administrative hub of towns in the then Bono Ahafo Region like Techiman, Nkoranza, Kintampo, Banda, Nsakaw and Yeji.
However, with the active pursuit of decentralization and district-level governance by successive governments, all the aforementioned towns got their districts. This reduced the flow of traffic into Wenchi which automatically slowed down economic activity in the town.
The problems of Wenchi became compounded when the nationwide collapse of industry and manufacturing in the 1980s and early 1990s killed TOMACAN, a very popular cannery in Wenchi which during its prime, canned and exported seven lines of Agricultural products including garden eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions.
“I have been an apprentice MP for the last three years since we lost the Wenchi constituency to the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 election. I can say in all humility that I have done many of the things Members of Parliament do in their constituencies despite not being in the Chamber or being an elected representative.
“I have helped secure employment in the government sector more than any other aspirant, delivered developmental projects including provision of water and other activities, lobbied government through the Attorney General for projects including a ‘mini astroturf stadium which will also house other games ’ and the prioritization of Wenchi town roads and highway that government has agreed as critical infrastructure to uplift the image of home town of Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, the Prime Minister of Ghana between 1969 and 1971,” Kojo Frempong said.
The aspiring parliamentary candidate went on to articulate his vision based on four major themes including a 1000 Boggar Program’ which seeks to look for opportunities in Europe, America, and elsewhere for Wenchi youth to travel and work.
This work abroad program will create a steady flow of remittances and know-how into the town which will ensure a vibrant economy for Wenchi. Further to the work abroad opportunity, Boafuo Kojo Frempong says his focus will be on formal education as a tool for human capital development and pledged to expand education to include artisans who by the nature of their trade must learn from very experienced and well drilled ‘masters or teachers.’
He also spoke about a Cashew Cooperative Plan that will protect farmers from price fluctuations when cashew is in season. These and other plans including a famous return of entertainment and economic activity will establish Wenchi again as the center of the social fabric of the Bono Region and the Ahafo and Bono East enclave.
“I have been watching you on Television since I was young but I did not know that you were my own son. I sometimes get amazed by your commitment and energy. If I spend two hours with you, you can make me meet more than ten high-profile people in government or in Ghana.
Your humility is well advertised and you are a genuinely good person who cares greatly about Wenchi. I endorse your candidature because of the great vision you have. I am calling on the delegates to vote for you because I know the good things in you.
Your persona, knowledge, network, and your relationship with the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame as well as how you relate to me with so much reverence makes you the perfect candidate for Wenchi. I will also caution you not to fail Wenchiman once you get the nod.”
723 delegates will cast their ballot to decide who becomes the NPP’s parliamentary candidate in the Wenchi constituency. This is the second time Kojo Frempong is vying for that position after losing to the incumbent in 2020, Professor George Gyan Bafour who was then the Minister of Planning in the Akufo-Addo government.
The NPP was unsuccessful in retaining the seat in the 2020 general election. Being number 2 on the ballot fills Kojo Frempong with great optimism because of the recent election of His Excellency the Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.
“The winning number in the NPP this year is number 2. I worked so hard for Dr. Bawumia to win Wenchi and having the same ballot number has simplified the message. “Bawumia Nie, Kojo Nie is what everyone is saying.
“They mean Bawumia’s best partner to win the Wenchi constituency and to promote the development of Wenchi is someone who worked for him, openly called for prayers for him, and knowingly campaigned for him.
“Nobody among the aspirants has that working relationship and understanding with the Bawumia campaign hence it would be perfect to pair Dr. Bawumia and Kojo Frempong as the ticket for Ghana and Wenchi respectively,” Kojo Frempong said.
The NPP is conducting nationwide parliamentary primaries to elect candidates for its ‘orphan’ constituencies where they do not have sitting Members of Parliament. The exercise will mainly come off on Saturday, December 02, even though there are at least 17 orphan constituencies who have already elected their candidates by acclamation.
Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra
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