Farmer, driver contest parliamentary seats in Ashanti

THREE PARLIAMENTARY candidates who have no formal educational background will pitch their strength against their counterparts with varying levels of academic standing for seats in Parliament.

The three, Mad. Akua Donkor, a 62-year-old Farmer is contesting as an Independent candidate, Salifu Mumuni 52, of the PNC and Stephen Kwaku Saahene, a 32 year old Driver are battling it out to represent their constituencies in the Kwabre West, Manhyia and the Bantama constituencies respectively, in the Ashanti region.

Salifu Mumuni, the 52 year old Farmer of the PNC is in contention with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a 40 year old Medical Doctor, on the ticket of the NPP, Nana Frema Busia, a Barrister-at-law and also an Independent candidate, Mr. Charles Saifa Bonsu, of the NDC, an HND holder and aTeacher by profession, as well as Yaw Nkunim of the CPP, a first degree holder and a professional Sculptor for the Manhyia constituency seat.

Out of the over 170 parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti region, 4 are BECE holders, 5 Middle School leavers, 15 Ordinary and 3 Advanced level certificates bearers, 5 SSSCE holders and others with various Degrees and Masters qualification with 42 aspirants holding at least a Certificate 'A' in teaching.

The compilation which was released to The Chronicle by Mr. Lawrence Sarpong, the Deputy Director of the Ashanti region Electoral Commission (EC) indicated that Miss Joyce Oduro of the PNC, who is contesting for the Afigya Sekyere west constituency seat, DFP's Mohammed Basir Tijani for the Asawase constituency, CPP's Blessing Owusu for Odotobri and Mohammed Rabiu Umar, a Blacksmith on the ticket of RPD to represent the Old Tafo constituency seats are all BECE holders.

Coincidentally, all the 5 SSSCE holders are from the camp of the PNC. They are Lovia Berko, Effiduase Asokore, Adongo Akwasi David for the Kwadaso constituency, Suleiman Mohammed for the Bosomtwe seat, Mariam Iddrisu and Abdul Nasir Bini for the New Edubiase and Offinso-North constituencies respectively.

Mary Agyeiwaa a 54-year-old teacher vying for the Amansie West constituency seat, Isaac Mensah of Odotobri and Yusif Mohammed Kpajal for the Ejura Sekyedumase constituency, all of the PNC and CPPs David Kenyah who is contesting for the Obuasi seat are Middle School leavers.

Mr. Kofi Asamoah Boateng, a 63-year-old administrator, who is vying for the Offinso-North constituency seat as an Independent candidate is the oldest among the aspirants while 5 candidates who are all 23-years-old are the youngest among the lot.

The 5 are Abdul Nasiru Bini of the PNC contesting for the Offinso-north seat, Eunice Owusu Ansah, RPD's candidate for Bantama, Appiahhene Peter for Atwima Mponua and Owusu Blessing for Odotobri, all on the ticket of the CPP and RPD candidate for Obuasi and Albert Joseph Ababio, who is a student.

Some of the 'O' level holders are Hon. Alhaji Issifu Pangabu Mohamed, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Ejura Sekyedumase, Mr. Tony Nyame, NDC aspirant for Subin, Kwaku Owusu Afriyie, the Offinso-South CPP candidate, Nana Kwame Bonsu, RPD Nhyiaeso aspirant and Alhaji Baba Musah, the Asawase candidate on the ticket of the CPP.

Out of the over 170 aspirants, 44 are Teachers with the maximum of 4-year Certificate 'A', 17 farmers, 5 Students, 2 Journalism Diploma holders, and legal practitioners, doctors and other degree holders among others.

13 female aspirants will be contesting against their male counterparts, with Akua Donkor, 62, an Independent candidate for the Kwabre West constituency being the oldest while Eunice Owusu Ansah , 23, of the RPD as the youngest among the female aspirants.

The NPP has none of its candidates being a BECE, SSSCE, 'O' and 'A' level nor a Middle School leaver.

Christopher Chogkureh, the NDC parliamentary aspirant for the Atwima Nwabiagya constituency is the only candidate with primary education while RPD, a youth centred party, boasts of having young aspirants with the least being 23 years and the eldest being 44 years.