A total of 33 parliamentary aspirants have received approval from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Executive Committee (NEC) to run unopposed in the upcoming internal elections scheduled for January 27, 2024.
The decision follows the recommendations of the National Parliamentary Appeals Committee (NPAC) and the National Parliamentary Vetting Committees (NPVC), as disclosed by the party.
The approved list comprises prominent figures within the party, including Alexander Afenyo-Markin for Effutu, Benjamin Yaboah Sekyere for Tano South, Yaw Osei Adutwum for Bosomtwi, Nana Ayew Afriyie for Effiduase, John Ampontuah Kumah for Ejisu, Isaac Yaw Opoku for Offinso South, Paul Apreku Twum Barimah for Dormaa East, and Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah for Techiman South.
Among others given the green light are Alex Gyan for Kintampo South, Alex Blankson for Akrofuom, Festus Awuah Kwofie for Upper Denkyira East, John Ntim Fordjour for Assin South, Alexander Akwasi Acquah for Akim Oda, Bryan Acheampong for Abetifi, Frederick Obeng Adom for Upper West Akim, and Michael Okyere Baafi for New Juaben South.
Honorable Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Darkoa Newman, and Patrick Yaw Boamah are also among the candidates approved to run unopposed for the Ayawaso West Wuogon, Okaikwei South, and Okaikwei Central constituencies respectively.
The New Patriotic Party further disclosed that three aspirants voluntarily stepped down from the January 27 parliamentary primaries which include Nana Aduse Poku Ahwere of Ahafo Ano South West, Al-Hassan Mahama of Ayawaso Central, and Eric Kwesi Danquah of Upper West Akim.
However, according to the party, Kennedy Kwasi Kankam’s candidacy in Nhyiaeso Constituency in the Ashanti Region has been challenged in court pending determination by the court.
Furthermore, the statement revealed that the Natioanl Exectuve Committee of the party endorsed the report following thoroughly review by the National Parliamentary Appeals Committee (NPAC) and the National Parliamentary Vetting Committees (NPVC),
According to the statement, the party has subsequently approved the release of the names of the candidates who will be running unopposed in the party’s January 27 2024 parliamentary primaries in constituencies where it has incumbent members of Parliament.
Aspiring Ayawaso Central MP Accuses Incumbent MP Of Plot To Disrupt Primaries
Meanwhile, Moses Abor, an aspiring Member of Parliament in the Ayawaso Central Constituency, has raised concerns about an alleged plot by the Greater Accra Regional Minister and current MP for the constituency, Hon. Henry Quartey, to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary primaries scheduled for January 27, 2024.
The former Gretaer Accra Regional Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party in a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo-Damapare alleged that the Regional Minister plans to employ both private security personnel and individuals from the Ghana Police Service with allegiance to him to intimidate and harass delegates perceived to be affiliated to him on the election day.
“My attention has been drawn to the fact that the Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament of the Ayawaso Central Constituency. Hon. Henry Quartey, who is also a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary primaries in the same constituency, intends to use illegal security personnel to disrupt the election process on the 27th of January, 2024 to his favour”.
Moses Abor
The aspiring Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central further alleged that Mr Quartey has intentions to unleash hooligans during the counting process, with the aim of snatching and possibly burning ballot papers if the results do not favor him.
Moreover, Mr Abor claimed that he has intercepted information indicating a grand agenda by the Regional Minister to stuff the ballot boxes with pre-printed ballot papers bearing his thumbprints while the voting is ongoing.
In view of the above claims, Mr Abor and his team have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and urged the law enforcement agency to take special interest in the Ayawaso Central elections.
Mr Abor further requested the deployment of professional police personnel to the voting venue on the election day to prevent clashes and ensure the overall fairness and integrity of the electoral process.
However, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey, has not yet responded to these allegations by Moses Abor.
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