Alfred eclipses Churcher in Cape Coast

Alfred Thompson carried by his supporters after the declaration

Young and energetic New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, Alfred George Thompson, on Saturday pulled a surprise in the NPP primary in Cape Coast, when he overpowered heavyweights like former Member of Parliament of the area, Ms Christine Churcher, Mrs. Dr. Henrietta Abane, Sociology Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr. Michael Arthur-Dadzie, a legal practitioner based in Cape Coast and Mr. Kwesi Sagoe, a Real Estate Developer.

It was a surprise win for Thompson, who was not given a dog's chance by some NPP supporters in the former colonial capital. Anybody who heard the outcome of the primary marveled because they tipped either Dr. Abane or Arthur-Dadzie to emerge victorious.

When the results were announced, Thompson, 42, a General Manager of INJA Farms in Accra, polled 198 votes to beat Dr. Abane, Churcher, Arthur-Dadzie and Sagoe, who secured 163, 148, 92 and 26 respectively.  There was a spontaneous jubilation among the NPP youth when the EC officer mentioned the name of Thompson as the winner, because it was the youth who engineered his victory over the heavyweights.

However, Ms Churcher, who political pundits in Cape Coast said did well in securing 148 votes, judging from the kind of opposition she encountered on her return, with some party folks nearly writing her off in the initial stages. The former MP left the scene as soon as the result was declared.

By his victory, Thompson is set to face National Democratic Congress MP, Lawyer Ebo Barton Odro, who is expected to go unopposed, as party members and residents alike have commended him for his impressive performance.

Thompson in his short remarks told the press that he would work with the other contestants to regain the seat in 2012.

In another development, Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy failed in his bid to become MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese (AAK), as Job Acquah Markins, a former District Chief Executive of the area, thrashed him with 299 votes against 159 votes.

At Twifu-Hemang, the sitting MP, Rev. Ben Donkor was kicked out by Lawrence Agyensiem who bagged in 169, while Donkor secured only 60 votes. Bright Wereko Brobbey another contender clinched 73 ballots.

Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, a former Information Minister and MP for Mfantsiman West won on wide margin as he secured 643 votes to beat his two contenders, while Samuel Obodai received another endorsement when he polled 199 votes. Other contenders, namely Dr. Selby, Cynthia Morrison, Adan and Thomas Asante polled 193, 96, 57 and 26 respectively.

In Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa Constituency, Emmanuel Adjei-Domson, former DCE for the area, was beaten by Anthony Effah Bako, a banker with Fidelity Bank. Domson polled 178 votes while Effah had 224 votes, with Mr. Godwill Ansah, another contender had 96 votes.

Upper Denkyira West and East MPs, Ben Aryeh and Nana Amoako, all were retained in marathon elections.

Albert Ato Quansah emerged the NPP parliamentary candidate for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Constituency with 284 votes to shrug off Romeo Aboagye, 133 votes, Kobina Amissah 124 votes, and Appiah Mensah, 28 votes.

In his attempt to re-launch his political come-back for Gomoa East MP, Richmond Sam-Quarm, was thrashed by Dr. Cudjoe with a wide margin, polling 192 as against 105 by Quarm.

The only female parliamentary aspirant who was elected at Awutu Senya in the Central Region is Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson. She polled 307 votes to beat the former MP of the area, Oppey Abbey, who had 158 votes.

Alex Markin prevented lawyer Nyarkoa from becoming the second female aspirant when he polled 209 votes against 34 votes. He faces Mike Allen Hammer, Lands and Forestry Minister.

Gomoa West primary saw former presiding Member of the area, Oscar Abban, tasting his worst defeat after being prevented to contest in 2008 primary that resulted in some sort of controversy. He polled 34 votes while the winner, Abakah Williams, secured 333 votes.

In Assin South, veteran politician, Prof. Dominic Kwaku Fobih had 363 votes to beat Joseph Damptey who had 126 votes.

Kennedy Ohene Agyepong, MP for Assin North and John Agyabeng, MP for Agona East were retained by popular acclamation.

Nana Ato Arthur, former Central Regional Minister, representing KEEA, Ato Cudjoe for Mfantseman East, Abraham Dwuma Odoom, representing Twifo Atti Mokwaa, were all elected unopposed.

Also elected by popular acclamation is Mr. Francis Kingley Ato Cudjoe, parliamentary aspirant for Mfanstiman East.