All the parliamentary aspirants seeking to contest in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region, have been cleared by the Upper West vetting committee of the party.
Although the vetting process runned smoothly without any main interference, it went beyond schedule, compelling the aspirants and their supporters to stay late into the night, before they could be vetted by the five-member committee.
A total of 30 parliamentary aspirants successfully went through the vetting process at the Wa Technical Institute, paving way for them to contest the May 13 parliamentary primaries of the NDC, in the Upper West Region.
The number includes 8 sitting MPs, 4 of whom are first-time MPs and the other representatives consist of a former MP and 21 individuals, who are either former aspirants or new entrants.
Surprisingly, amongst all the aspirants who passed, only one woman could be found within them. She is from the Jirapa constituency and the daughter of former IGP, Peter Nanfuri. She claims to not have seen any proper parliamentary representation in the last four years, in the Jirapa Constituency, hence, her decision to replace the incumbent.
The Wa Central constituency has the highest number of aspirants, where 3 people are seeking to replace the incumbent, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, in his 5th term bid.
Six constituencies consisting of Wa East, Wa West, Jirapa, Lambusie, Sissala East and Lawra, have 3 aspirants each, while the Nadowli-Kaleo, Nandom, Daffiama-Bisie-Issa and Sissala West constituencies, have 2 persons each, contesting.
Some of the incumbent Members of Parliament, averred they have duly represented the party and their constituents in Parliament, and would want to be retained. These incumbent MPs are Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw (Wa East), Anthoney Mwinkara Sumah (Nadowli-Kaleo), and Peter Tuobu (Wa West).
Their contenders however, expressed that the NDC is gradually losing its dominance in the Upper West Region and this should be a reason for the delegates to elect new candidates, who have what it takes to bring back their lost glory in the region.
The parliamentary hopefuls include Farouk Bandanaa (Wa West), Dr. Titus Bayuo (Lambusie), Mutiu Rahaman (Wa Central).
Pressure In Sunyani West Over Alleged Disqualification Of 2 Candidates
There is uneasy calm amongst members of the National Democratic Congress in the Sunyani West Constituency, following the disqualification of two candidates from the party’s parliamentary race.
Ernest Ayesu, a mining engineer with Newmont Ghana Limited, was purportedly disqualified on Tuesday afternoon after he was vetted on Monday evening. In a vetting which was heavily witnessed by scores of party supporters, Mr. Ayesu was lifted shoulder-high, after what many described as an incredible performance.
But after the euphoria that surrounded his vetting, the Vetting Committee on Tuesday afternoon indicated that Mr. Ayesu is unfit to contest in the primaries. According to the Committee, Mr. Ayesu has not lived in the Sunyani West Constituency for the required number of years, and therefore, he cannot participate in the party’s upcoming primaries.
In a related development, another contender, Evelyn Akantoa, was also reportedly disqualified, following concerns about her membership in the NDC, in addition to other allegations of falsified documents.
Her supporters, have therefore vowed to employ all means to ensure that she gets back into the race.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Vetting Committee and Deputy National General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Foyoo Gbande, avers neither Ayesu nor Evelyn Akantoa, had been disqualified.
Speaking in an interview with the media on the back of the tension in the constituency, he explained that there is no substantive decision on Mr. Ernest Ayesu and Evelyn Akantoah.
According to him, the candidates have temporarily been placed on hold, awaiting a final determination of the issues surrounding their candidature. Mr. Gbande said the outstanding issues which came up in the course of the vetting, will be addressed.
READ ALSO: Desist From Strategy Of Deceit In Your Quest For Power- NPP Chairman To NDC
