Shock, joy, disappointment and euphoria were all ingredients of the recently concluded parliamentary primaries for the New Patriotic Party, as the governing political party held its much awaited primaries in over 100 constituencies across the country last Saturday.
With the NPP set to wrap up its selection for parliamentary candidates for the 8th Parliament of Ghana come 7th Jan, 2021, the usual casualties of big names in the party and the rise of young patriots within the party, were some of the notable highlights of the parliamentary primaries.
In all, a total of 374 aspirants contested in 168 constituencies with 325 men and 51 women contesting.
Some of the aspirants, 67, went unopposed and were acclaimed by delegates of the party in the various constituencies.
Notable among the winners and losers include the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah who lost his New Juaben South seat, in the Eastern region, to a new entrant, Michael Okyere Baafi of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, while Deputy Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso Boakye made light work of incumbent MP, Hon Daniel Okyem Aboagye in the race for the right to represent Bantama in the Ashanti region.
In the Greater Accra region, Naa Darkoa Newman caused a surprise when she won the Okaikoi South primaries, unseating 2 time MP, Ahmed Arthur, while Sylvester Tetteh after several attempts at the Ningo-Prampram seat, finally found joy in Bortianor Ngleshie Amafro, where he unseated incumbent MP, Alhaji Habib Saad.
From the Upper East region, the Regional Minister Tangoba Abayage was victorious in her battle against Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda in Navrongo Central NPP primary. She polled 307 votes as against Mr Adda’s 266 votes.
From the Eastern region, Akwatia, Suhum and Nkawkaw all saw shocks as the incumbent MPs were beaten by new entrants. Akwatia MP, Ama Sey lost her right to represent the constituency on the partys ticket to Ernest Yaw Kumi, a new entrant.
From Suhum, another casualty was Fred Opare Ansah, a 4 time mp who lost out to Kwodwo Asante, while Eastern regional minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour was beaten by Joseph Frimpong at Nkawkaw.
In all about 34 new parliamentary candidates will be vying for seats in parliament on the ticket of the NPP come December 7th, 2020.
Meanwhile the NPP, will this weekend, on June 27, acclaim its presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a National Executive Meeting.
The acclamation will officially confirm the President as the NPPs flagbearer for the December polls. President Akufo-Addo has already selected the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the vice presidential slot, maintaining him for the 4th time on the ticket of the party since 2008.
By:Isaac Clottey
