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Six individuals will contest unopposed in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Ashanti Region.
They are Samuel Aboagye who will run for the Obuasi East Constituency, Joseph Azumah for Akrofuom and Samuel Prempeh Jnr for Bekwai. The rest are Kwasi Amankwah who will contest the Kumawu bye-election, Shamudeen Mohammed Kamil for Old Tafo and Hamzah Swallah in Manhyia North.
No disqualification
Regional Secretary Frank Amoakohene made this disclosure and confirms that the vetting of 85 parliamentary aspirants has ended in 36 constituencies.
71 males and 14 females were vetted in the three-day exercise. The party dealt with five petitions challenging the credibility of some of the aspirants. They have since been cleared.
“For the records, no aspirant was disqualified… All the aspirants will duly represent the party in full capacity. We are sure that the next government would be formed by the NDC and whoever represents us will have Ghana at heart. We want to assure the people in the Ashanti Region that we are ready to wrestle power from the NPP”, Amoakohene said.
The candidates are now set to embark on an intense campaign ahead of the race. The election process is however on hold in 11 constituencies, including the Sekyere Afram Plains and Manso Adubia.
Frank Amoakohene says the party would settle on a new date to start the process, pending a decision by the national executive committee.
Security re-inforced
There was however a charged atmosphere amidst heavy security as persons aspiring to be the party’s parliamentary candidate for the 2024 election in the Asawase constituency, took their turn in the ongoing vetting process.
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Asawase, Muntaka Mubarak, and his contender, Masawudu Mubarick have successfully gone through the vetting process and were given their numbers on the yet-to-be-printed ballot for the primaries.
Supporters of both aspirants thronged the vetting centre amidst chants in a contest that is attracting a lot of attention in the region.
The incumbent, Muntaka Mubarak who is number 1 on the ballot told journalists that the support he received from the party supporters during and after the vetting is a sign of an endorsement of his retention as the MP for the area.
“You don’t get people to continue to support you after two decades of being a Member of Parliament and for people to continue to support me after two decades, then it means there is something that I am doing right, and I only thank Allah for all that he has done for me and I know Allah is not yet done with me.”
“We need change”
Supporters of Masawudu Mubarick also chanted “We need change” when they entered the premises.
Masawudu Mubarick insists he is the right person to bring the change party supporters are yearning for in the Asawase Constituency.
“Today democracy has triumphed… I picked Number 2, the journey has just begun. What we mean by change is we need progress for the people of Asawase. The constituency needs an MP who is corruption-free and that is what the change symbolizes”, he said.
The party has set May 13 to hold its presidential and parliamentary elections.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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