BA NPP completes vetting of parliamentary candidates

March 30, 2011
Sunyani, March 30,GNA - The Brong-Ahafo Regional office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) undertook a two-day vetting exercise in all the 24 constituencies at the weekend with 10 incumbent Members of Parliament (MPS) contesting unopposed in the party's primaries slated for April 30.

The MPs are; Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, Sunyani East, Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Sunyani West, Mr. Andrew Adjei Yeboah, Tano South, Mr. Kwaku Agyenim Boateng, Berekum, Mr. Yaw Afful, Jaman South, and Mr. Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, Nkoranza South.

Others are Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Dormaa West, Professor George Gyan-Baffour, Wenchi, Prof. Akumfi Ameyaw, Techiman North and Mr. George Yaw Boakye, Asunafo South.

Three other aspirants; Mr. Prince Yaw Donyina, former Techiman Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Awudulai Razak, former Kintampo North Municipal Chief Executive and Mr. Stevens Siaka are also going unopposed for the Techiman South, Kintampo North and Jaman North constituency parliamentary seats in that order.

Mr. Alfred Ofori Annye, Regional Secretary, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on Wednesday that out of the 60 aspirants who picked nominations forms for the primaries, only 50 including five women availed themselves for the vetting.

He said the remaining 10 aspirants willingly threw their weight behind the other aspirants and advised them to support those who would win the primaries to enable the party to regain power in the 2012 general election.

Mr. Annye said three representatives each from the party's headquarters, regional and constituency offices formed the vetting committee.

He mentioned Alhaji Ali Musah, Dr. Nsiah Asare and Mr. John Osei Kusi as those who represented the national level, whilst Dr. Oppong Yeboah, Mr. Paul Okoh, MP for Asutifi North, who is not contesting and Mr. J.K Mensah, represented the region.

Mr. Annye commended Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, Regional Chairman of the party, for his commitment and cooperation that made the exercise successful and thanked the aspirants for the maturity they exhibited.

The regional party secretary urged aggrieved aspirants to pass their concerns through the Appeals Board of the party.

Mr. Annye advised regional and constituency executives to give a fair playing ground to candidates contesting the primaries in order not to create divisions within the rank and file of the party.

He said the party was poised to capture at least 22 seats in the region and appealed to members and supporters of the party to strategize and rekindle their campaign drive.

Mr. Annye called for unity and understanding among members of the party and entreated disgruntled members to desist from "washing their dirty linen in the public".

GNA