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28.08.2015 NDC

Ex-convict, others rush for NDC nomination forms

By Myjoyonline
Ex-convict, others rush for NDC nomination forms
28.08.2015 LISTEN

The race for the 275 parliamentary slots of the governing National Democratic Congress appears to be making nonsense of the tireless claims by MPs that the job is simply a thankless tedium.

Scores of people, especially young men and women are scrambling for nomination forms to contest in the NDC’s November 7 parliamentary primaries.

Many Members of Parliament have consistently argued that MPs are not financially well off as they are perceived to be.

They claim many MPs are penniless and scrounging to feed their families, a claim which convinces very few Ghanaians.

The exceptionally high level of interest in the parliamentary primaries of the NDC may serve as a basis to question that claim.

The party opened nomination Thursday August 27 and already many have picked up forms.

Communications consultant at the Presidency, Sam George, confirmed he has picked up nomination forms to challenge stalwart, Enoch Teye Mensah, for the Ningo Prampram slot.

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He told Joy News he was the fresh blood and renewed vigour, founding his campaign on an old adage that when water stays for too long in a bottle it begins to smell.

At the Adentan Constituency, former MCE Kakra Vanlere is challenging incumbent MP, Nii Ashie Moore.

Ashie Moore argues he represents the NDC’s best chance at retaining the swing constituency.

Vanlere believes her work as MCE puts her in pole position to win it.

Another man hoping to represent the people of Adentan in 2016 on the NDC's ticket is Mohammed Adamu Ramadan.

The management consultant is a presidential staffer at the flagstaff house. Mr Ramadan is from a political family as his father, Alhaji Ramadan is currently chairman of the PNC and his younger brother, Abu Ramadan the youth organizer of the same party.

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Interestingly, his sister, Samira is also married to the NPP running mate, Dr Mahmudu Bawumia. Mr Ramadan, however says “I will campaign on my own record in the party and as an individual."

But one name surprised many. Mallam Usif Issa, an ex-convict and former Youth and Sports Minister.

The former People’s National Convention stalwart was drafted into the government of John Agyekum Kufuor in 2001.

He was later tried and convicted for failing to account for an amount of 46,000 given to him by government to pay some footballers.

He was later granted presidential pardon. He believes he is the man to retain the Adentan constituency seat for the NDC.

An outspoken member of the NDC’s legal team, Abraham Amaliba, is currently in his home region of Bolgatanga running for the Bolga Central constituency.

He said the constituents want him because they say incumbent MP, David Opam-Brown, is hardly heard articulating their concerns on the floor of the House.

Amaliba believes he can change that and more importantly, he said, the constituents believe he can too.

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At Madina, famous human rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, is expected to pick up nomination forms for the Madina constituency.

He told Joy News that but for some administrative hitches, he would have picked the forms today.

Like the other newcomers, the main theme of his campaign is need for fresh ideas and renewed energy to propel the development of the constituency.

He will come up against incumbent MP, Alhaji Amadu Sorogo.

Head of the National Youth Authority Ras Mubarak is going the Kumbungu Constituency in the Northern Region just as Deputy Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who is expected to pick up his forms from the Ablekuma North Constituency office of the NDC.

Former Coordinator of Zongo For Mahama in the 2012 elections, Yussif Jajah, has also picked up nominations to contest the Ayawaso North constituency.

He comes up against Sports Minister Mustapha Ahmed and sports personality, Mohammed Amin Lamptey.

More interesting names are expected come up in the coming days as the processes progress.

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