3 Dropped In Volta NDC Race

Three aspirants have had their ambitions of becoming Members of Parliament dashed to the ground after they were disqualified at the just-ended vetting of parliamentary aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region.

The three who were disqualified on the first day of vetting are Solomon Kwame Bachabori of Nkwanta North, Ahmed Muniru of the Akan constituency and Anthony Selorm Morrison Kofituo from the Kpando constituency.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, Simon Amegashie-Viglo, after the vetting process which ended last Friday. Interestingly, the vetting was held at the residence of the Volta Regional Minister, Helen Adjoa Ntoso.

He said Solomon Bachabori and Ahmed Muniru were disqualified on grounds of going independent in the 2012 elections; hence not meeting the mandatory four-year active membership criteria.

Anthony Morrison was also disqualified because of misrepresentation of information on his CV.

Solomon Bachabori, speaking to DAILY GUIDE, admitted that it was true that he had been inactive in the party and for that matter the constituency for a long time. He accepted the disqualification in good faith, adding that he was going to be more active in order to pass the vetting next time.

The press statement said 96 aspirants—comprising 84 males and 12 females—were vetted in Ho on Thursday, 8th and Friday, 9th October, 2015 to contest in the upcoming November 7 primaries.

The joint Vetting Committee, under the chairmanship of Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, included national executive officers like Huduu Yahaya, Kofi Attor, Capt Joshua Akamba, Solomon Nkansah, Alhaji PMC, regional executives and constituency executives of the respective aspirants.

Eighty-six aspirants from 24 constituencies including 12 females were cleared to contest the primaries in the respective constituencies.

Clearances On Hold
However, clearance for five aspirants from Nkwanta South was put on hold for further consultations.

DAILY GUIDE's investigations revealed that the process was put on hold to allow for the nomination process of a new District Chief Executive (DCE) to replace the former DCE, Peter Kojo Kenyenso, who was brutality murdered earlier this year, to be completed.

DAILY GUIDE also gathered that the election of the presiding member for the Nkwanta South Assembly was also put on hold for similar reasons and more specifically to ensure an even distribution of political appointments in the district.

The clearance of two aspirants from Ketu South—Albert Zigah and Jim Yao Morti—and Christopher Eleblu from North Tongu has also been referred to the national executives for legal and constitutional decision on their eligibility.

The two contestants for Ketu South are among four other persons aspiring to unseat Fiifi Kwetey, the incumbent MP.

Two sitting MPs—James Klutse Avedzi, MP for Ketu North, and Fiifi Kwetey, the MP for Ketu South and Minister of Agriculture—could not appear before the Vetting Committee because they were outside the country on official duty. They will be vetted on their return.

Residence Turns NDC Office
The residence of the Volta Regional Minister, which is a state property catered for by the taxpayer, was turned into a rally ground of the NDC. The whole place was filled with the posters and banners of aspirants.

The supporters of the various aspirants used the entire gardens and well-trimmed lawns of the residence for their singing, dancing and drumming.

Others also took advantage of the crowd to cash in as they sold paraphernalia of the NDC to party faithful and sympathisers.

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From Fred Duodu, Ho