Before the by-election in Kumawu on Tuesday, Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare has met with the leaders of both the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Before, during, and after Tuesday’s by-election, the IGP warned both political parties to keep their followers in order and added that any sort of improper behavior, would not be tolerated.
Due to the passing of the incumbent, Philip Basoah, in March of this year, the Kumawu constituency will hold a by-election on Tuesday, May 23.
The seat is being sought after by the two major political parties, the NPP and NDC. The NPP and NDC’s top leaders have stepped up their efforts to guarantee that their candidate wins the seat as the hotly anticipated by-election in Kumawu is ready to take place.
Following the repair of various roads that had been abandoned in the constituency for years, the NDC accused the NPP of buying votes ahead of the by-election. In the district, further significant projects have already started.
President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia are persuading delegates to support their party’s nominee, while former President John Dramani Mahama is arguing forcefully for the NDC.
In addition, the two independent contestants have sworn to pull a surprise.
Due to the large number of security personnel who have been stationed there ahead of the by-election, Kumawu is under constant surveillance.
The four candidates are Ernest Yaw Anim of the NPP, Kwasi Amankwaa of the NDC, and two independents both going by the name of Kwaku Duah.
Independent Candidate Cannot Be Influenced With Money
Kwaku Duah, an independent candidate, running for the vacant seat in the Kumawu by-election, expressed optimism about his chances of succeeding the late Philip Basoah.
Speaking in an interview, Kwaku Duah said his conviction is supported more by the general public, who he noted had actually persuaded him to run in the previous elections. This support has remained constant, even after their seat in Parliament was declared vacant as a result of the MP’s passing.
Following his formal announcement to run again for the seat in the next by-election, Mr. Kwaku Duah made it clear that he would not be swayed by anyone or any organization to drop out of the campaign. He emphasized that he has not made any demands for money or cash from any local organizations or people.
Mr. Kwaku Duah claimed he is unconcerned by the threats and extortion but still loyal to the populace. The 62-year-old businessman made a strong showing when he ran as an independent in the 2020 Kumawu Parliamentary election, garnering more than 11,000 votes, compared to the late MP’s over 14,000 votes.
Mr. Kwaku Duah noted that in contrast to the independent candidate who won the Fomena parliamentary seat in the 2020 election, he declared that if he were to win the election and be elected as the MP, he would not associate himself with any of the two major parties.
Instead, he will vote and speak out on matters only in the interest of the country as a whole and his constituency.
“Kwaku Duah in Parliament, no matter where my seat is, doesn’t matter to me. The issue at stake, the first question I’ll ask is, how is it going to benefit mother Ghana so that my Constituency can also benefit from it…And that is how I’m going to cast my votes. So Kwaku Duah will look beyond colours and vote on issues.”
Kwaku Duah
Mr. Kwaku Duah claimed that despite failing to win the 2020 election, he is still assisting his constituency in meeting some of their urgent requirements, with a particular emphasis on roads, tourism, sanitation, and other projects he is funding in different communities for the good of the populace.
When asked about the appearance of another independent candidate with nearly identical information as him on the ballot for the by-election, Mr. Kwaku Duah responded that he is not the least bit concerned, even though that person is being sponsored by one of the competing political parties only to split his potential votes and result in his defeat.
READ ALSO: NPP Government Began With A Borrowing Mentality- Edudzi Tameklo
