NDC vows to 'uproot Ellembele Mugabe'

Ellembele MP, Mr. Freddie Blay must go, says NDC.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified its campaign in the Ellembele constituency in the Western region, sending clear signals about its determination to wrest the seat from the first Deputy Speaker of parliament, Mr. Freddie Blay, who has occupied the seat since 1996, on the ticket of the Convention Peoples Party CPP.

The Regional Executives of the party, led by the Regional Organizer, Col. Kakue Korsah (retd) stormed the constituency over the weekend to declare what could best be described as a political war aimed at unseating the incumbent MP, who is also fighting hard to maintain his popularity in the constituency.

The executives explained that the anger of the people was like a raging storm, and nobody should dare to stop them by manipulating the electoral process, else they would resist it.

He also told the enthusiastic crowd that thronged the Aiyinase Park, where the incumbent MP infamously stood to endorse the flag-bearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the December polls, that the days of Mr. Freddie Blay in parliament were numbered.

Col. Korsah on his part declared: "This 'Ellembele Mugabe' must be kicked out in the December election, and NDC is the only party that is determined to do that".

For the NDC executives, Mr. Blay has finished serving the people of the constituency and whether he likes it or not, he would give way for the NDC candidate, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah.

Consequently, the party urged the constituents to consider the 12 year period they gave the incumbent MP and measure his performance in order to be able to tell or confirm if indeed he had delivered and deserved to receive their mandate to represent them in parliament again.

The Regional Youth Organizer of the party, Mr. Solomon Yaw Nkansah, who also addressed the thousands of NDC party supporters who thronged the rally grounds, reminded them of the rivalry between the Nkrumaists and the ruling party and said a vote for the incumbent MP would be a vote against Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who hails from the constituency.

A high life musician, Mr. Jewel Ackah, who was also present at the rally grounds treated the audience to some of his best lyrics, and explained to the people that he was not against Mr. Freddie Blay, but thought that 12 years service to the people was enough, and therefore called for change in the constituency.

The NDC aspiring MP, Mr. Annah Kofi-Bua, who was carried shoulder high by the NDC supporters for his contribution to the development of the Nzema area, even when he was not in main stream politics, outlined his vision for the constituency, stating that the contest was not about personality attack, but about issues.

He made it clear that he would not sell his conscience and the dignity of all Nzema people for his selfish interest. He declared that the NDC, as the only true Nkrumaist party in the country, with its social policies directed at the ordinary people and the masses, instead of enriching the few in society at the expense of the majority.

Mr. Annah Kofi-Buah noted "My vision is to become trust-worthy Member of Parliament who will transform the Ellembele constituency into the most modern constituency in Ghana".

The aspiring MP further stated that he would work to improve education in the constituency, provide the best leadership to improve health delivery system, support disables, create jobs and improve tourism in the constituency.

Meanwhile, about 75 people from the CPP and the NPP who defected to the NDC in the constituency were introduced to the crowd. Their reason for the defection was how the constituency had been taken for granted by the incumbent MP.

Also to be introduced to the crowd was a non partisan group, most of them from the constituency and tertiary students of Ghana, who said they were solidly behind the aspiring MP. The group has formed Friends of Buah (FOB) to campaign for the NDC candidate.