Avoid Bribes: NDC Branch Executives Told

Cape Coast North Constituency Branch Executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress, NDC, have been advised to avoid the temptation of accepting bribes from Parliamentary Aspirants when the time comes for them to elect their parliamentary candidate.

The Constituency Secretary, Mr Simon Peter Gyekye, gave this advice at a workshop organized by the constituency Communication Officer, Mr. Isaac Kingsley Edzii, for the NDC communicators in the constituency.

Mr Gyekye said the Cape Coast North Constituency seat which is currently occupied by the deputy speaker of Parliament, Lawyer Barton Oduro, is so dear to the heart of the NDC and stressed that every effort should be made to maintain it.

The Cape Coast North constituency was created in 2012 when the Cape Coast Constituency was divided into North and South constituencies and the seat was won by Lawyer Barton Oduro on the ticket of the NDC.

Unconfirmed reports have it that Mr Odoro, who has been in parliament for two consecutive times would not contest again when nominations are opened later this year.

This, according to sources, has opened the flood gate and it is said that many would- be aspirants are lacing their boots on quiet notes whiles others are secretly approaching branch executives to sell their intentions.

It is against this backdrop that Mr Gyekye gave his advice.

He stated “we as branch executives have the power to elect who should be our parliamentary candidate. A lot of people will come to us and some will offer money to entice us but we should be bold and reject them if they are not marketable”

He added “if you follow money and elect any candidate who is not marketable, we as a party would find it difficult to campaign for him/her and this could lead to our defeat. I am therefore appealing to you to resist the temptation of bribes during primaries from candidate who cannot win the seat for us”.

The secretary commended the Women’s Wing in the constituency for being the most vibrant wing and called on other wings to wake up and work hard.

Though the NDC has not opened it parliamentary nominations for aspirants to file, Mr Kojo Walker, a son of the late Mr Kwamina Walker, is said to be the huge favourite of the electorates of Cape Coast North.

The loyalty of the Walker family to the NDC is seen by many to be the triumph card for Mr Charles Walker in the constituency whiles his personal relationship and respect for the elderly and the constituents at large is said to be an added advantage.