Ghana’s largest opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) has clarified that it has not yet taken any concrete steps to contest the Ejisu by-election following the untimely passing of the Member of Parliament for the area, John Kumah.
Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the party, said that the NDC is currently prioritising mourning the MP’s demise over hastily pursuing the vacant seat.
In an interview with Citi News, Mr Gbande urged NDC sympathizers in the constituency to exercise patience, assuring them that the party will communicate its plans regarding contesting the seat in due course.
“We all have to exercise restraint and look forward as the party comes up with the conversations that will lead up to a decision that will be in the best interest of the party, a decision that will give all of us the victory and expectation that we want.
“As of now, we are not there yet so we encourage party members to continue to work with structures of the party on the ground in anticipation of whatever will come from national. But as of now, we also encourage them to keep mourning with the family because we particularly mourn with the children of the late John Kumah.”Source.citinews
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako has confirmed that some people who showed interest in contesting the upcoming parliamentary primaries at Ejisu have rescinded their decision.
This follows a meeting with party leadership in the region.
Many party members have shown interest in the seat, following the demise of the Member of Parliament, John Kumah.But Mr. Antwi Boasiako says the internal mechanism established to reduce the number of aspirants has yielded results.
Mr.Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi
Meanwhile, posters of about ten people have been sighted on social media as the party opens nomination.Currently, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, is the frontrunner in the race.
Four-time contender, Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, popularly known as ‘Ejisu Bronii’ is also staging her fifth come-back.
Wife of Bono Region Chairmen of the NPP, Portia Acheampong Abronye has made her intention known as well as the current Presiding Member of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Helena Mensah.
Again, the former Presiding Member of Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Michael Owusu, has expressed interest too.
The current Constituency Chairman, Kofi Agyapong is also expected to battle it out with his 2nd Vice, Kwabena Boateng as both executive members are set to contest.
Finally, a lecturer at the Akenten Appiah Menkah University of Skills Training and Entreprenuerial Development (AAMUSTED), Dr Evans Duah also has his eyes on the ball.
Whoever emerges winner on the side of the NPP after April 13, is likely to face competition from three-time MP, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi as information available indicates his come-back, albeit not on the ticket of the ruling party.
However, the NDC already has a candidate, in the person of Jerryne Asante although it is not certain if the party will contest the Ejisu by-election. The NPP has held the Ejisu seat since 1996.
Meanwhile,List of Ejisu NPP Parliamentary Primaries hopefuls: are attached below;
Ten(10) members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, comprising three women, are eyeing the vacant Ejisu Constituency seat.
In other words, they have declared their intentions to contest the parliamentary primary election slated for April 13, 2024.
The Ejisu Constituency seat became vacant after the demise of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Dr John Ampontuah Kumah. Dr Kumah died at the age of 45 after a short illness.
A former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, is among the nine aspirants. He was spotted at the Ashanti Region campaign launch of the ruling party, and he made his intention clear in an interview with a section of the media.
A four-time contender, Abena Pokuaa Boaitey, popularly known as ‘Ejisu Bronii’, is staging her fifth comeback.
Wife of Bono Region Chairman of the NPP, Portia Acheampong Abronye, has made her intention known, as well as the current Presiding Member of the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Helena Mensah and Bright Gyimah.
The former Presiding Member of Ejisu Municipal Assembly, Michael Owusu, has expressed an interest too.
The current Constituency Chairman, Kofi Agyapong, is also expected to battle it out with his Second Vice, Kwabena Boateng, as both executive members have expressed their interests in the race.
Finally, a lecturer at the Akenten Appiah Menkah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Dr Evans Duah, has his eyes on the ball.
Whoever emerges as winner on the side of the NPP after April 13 is likely to face competition from three-time Ejisu MP, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi. A deep throat source has indicated his comeback, albeit not on the ticket of the ruling party.
The former Roads Minister took over from Akwasi Osei-Adjei (former Foreign Affairs Minister) in the run-up to the 2008 elections after the latter lost the parliamentary primary.
Mr Aduomi also lost his fourth bid to the late Dr Kumah in 2020.
In November 2023, the former lawmaker described the leader for the Movement For Change (MFC), Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, as “a good politician with a legal and economic background.” His public endorsement during an MFC event at Ejisu has further deepened speculations that he has defected from the ruling party.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) already has a candidate in the person of Jerryne Asante. However, it is not certain the party will contest the Ejisu by-election.
An insider, who disclosed this on condition of anonymity, said, “We have advised that we pull out and prepare well for the December general election.”The NPP has held the Ejisu seat since 1996.Source: Adwenpa-Hene
Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency, has reiterated his stance from 2023, asserting that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not hand over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Despite acknowledging recent economic challenges faced by the government, Acheampong affirmed that the NPP remains committed to reviving the economy, ensuring that Ghanaians witness the positive impact of the party’s efforts and choose to retain them in office.
According to the Abetifi MP, the NDC would never emerge victorious in the December 7 polls, regardless of their desires. He questioned why a party that cannot win elections would seek power at all costs.
Bryan Acheampong
“Last year I stood here in Mpraeso and said that whether NDC likes it or not they will never win the 2024 polls. If you don’t win an election, will power be handed over to you? We will not hand it over to them today or tomorrow.
As at that time I made the statements Ghana was confronted with economic challenges. Food inflation was around 61%. Inflation was around 55%. The prices of cement and iron rods went up. Contractors said because of the IMF program, they were not going to work.
“Agenda 111 projects came to a standstill. The dollar prices went up as high as GH¢19.00. Even at the time, in 2020, when we were in difficulty, the NDC was thinking that because we were in difficulty, Ghanaians were going to vote against the NPP.
“But I told you that before we will vote in the next election, the economy will be restored and Ghanaians will see the good works of the NPP government,” he stated.Source:William Narh
I had the pleasure of walking with thousands of enthusiastic members of our party and Ghanaians, in Kwahu Mpraeso, in the Eastern Region, this morning.
The well-attended walk was also graced by some Ministers of State, NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, some national, regional and constituency executives, as well as a number of MPs and PC’s from the Eastern Region.
At the end of the walk, I addressed the charged crowd and highlighted our party’s superior record in many sectors and declared our readiness to work very hard to build on our achievements and move Ghana to a future of promise and possibilities through our determination to break the 8.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), has set Saturday, April 13, 2024 to elect a candidate for the Ejisu constituency by-election, occasioned by the death of the MP and Deputy Finance Minister, John Ampontuah Kumah on March 7.
Consequently, the NPP has announced a three-day window, from Tuesday, April 2 to Thursday April 4, 2024, during which aspirants may purchase and file nominations at the constituency party office.
A statement signed by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong announcing timelines and guidelines for the by-election, said an aspiring parliamentary candidate shall procure Nomination Forms after the payment of a non-refundable application fee of GHȼ3,000 in bankers draft in favour of the New Patriotic Party National Headquarters, Accra.
To successfully file the nomination, an aspiring parliamentary candidate shall pay a non-refundable filing fee of GHȼ35, 000, also in bankers draft in favour of the New Patriotic Party National Headquarters, Accra.
The statement noted however, that Women, Youth (persons aged between 18 and 40 years), and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) will enjoy a 50% rebate on the filing fees. They thus will be required to pay a non-refundable filing fee of GHȼ17,500.
NPP’s approved timelines for Ejisu by-election
Opening of Nomination -Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Closing of Nomination -Thursday April 4, 2024
Election – Saturday April 13, 2024
The party also announced an Election Committee (EC) to supervise the process.
Members of the committee are:
Mr. Danquah Smith Butey- Chairman
Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako – Vice Chairman
Hon. Patricia Appiagyei
Mad. Martha Kodua
Mr. Evans Nimako – Secretary
Chairperson of the Constituency Council of Elders;
All Constituency Executives (Ex-officio members)
The NPP said it has also approved detailed rules and regulations to govern the conduct of the parliamentary primary election and would be made available to stakeholders.
The Electoral Commission is yet to announce a date for the by-election, while so far, only Kwasi Nyantekyi, former Ghana Football Association president, has publicly declared an interest in seeking to replace the late John Kumah.
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana mandates Clerk of Parliament to alert the EC of a vacancy within seven days, after which the EC has 30 days to conduct a by-election, or 60 days in case of the vacancy being occasioned by the death of an MP.
The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South in the Ashanti Region, has been tipped by majority of Ghanaians as the best person to partner Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer for the 2024 general election.
Napo, as he is affectionately called in the political space, garnered overwhelming 152 votes representing 74.9% out of 203 people who responded to a question posed by Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), a leading member of the NPP, on his Facebook wall for Ghanaians to recommend one person from Ashanti to Dr. Bawumia for consideration as running mate.
The question was: If Dr. Bawumia asks you to recommend one person from Ashanti to partner him, who will be your best bet?
The results were as follows: Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo – 152 votes (74.9%); Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, the Minister for Education and MP for Bosomtwe – 17 votes (8.4%); the former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah – 8 votes (3.9%) and others – 26 votes (12.8%).
Bawumia and Napo
The survey comes in the wake of media reports that Dr. Bawumia is likely to name his running mate in April ahead of the 2024 elections.
A viral video and pictures of reconciliation between Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, who doubles as the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo, at the one-week observance of the late Dr. John Kumah, the MP for Ejisu and Deputy Finance Minister, has given majority of concerned NPP members great joy.
The video and the pictures gave a clear indication of reconciliation between the two NPP bigwigs after a series of verbal exchanges from their supporters.
The recent accusations and counter-accusations from the camps of the two astute politicians are said to have inflamed tensions and divisions in the party, especially in the Ashanti Region.
The reconciliation process is said to have been initiated by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, the MP for Effiduase Asokore; the former Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, who is also the MP for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and others.
Screenshot of Chairman Wontumi and NAPO
Short video
Dr.Ayew Afriyie,Hon.Osei Kyei -Mensah-Bonsu,NAPO and others
According to the Deputy Protocol Director of the Governing New Patriotic Party, Mr Kwabena Frimpong, future generations and history would celebrate H. E. President Akufo Addo for his tremendous achievements in all sectors. He believes that President Akufo Addo’s excellent policies that his government has put in place would make the future generations to praise.
Mr Frimpong in this remarks tackled the Free SHS Policy as one of the “greatest intervention to hit the education sector in our country since pre and post-colonial era which has invested hugely churning out literate youth for the job market as education is one of the key tool of changing a family’s status.”
Kwabena Frimpong
This policy has released parent of the huge school, Examination Regions fees and other expenses which kept most youth away from attending SHS due to the high cost. Again, this policy has accorded children from poor and rich homes to attend the top schools in Ghana which prior to FREE SHS would only remain a dream.
He further, touched on One District One factory policy(1D1F) industrialization drive which has many factories been set up across the country and functional, this policy has added value to our natural resources and created massive employment for the youth in rural and peri-urban communities and thereby improving income levels and standard of living as well as reduce rural-urban migration.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
He added that “today, the good people in the northern part would celebrate Him for the Tamale Interchange, Tamale International airport, Massive Roads projects done in the northern part, AstroTurf parks, Mini Stadiums 🏟, Restoration of Peace in Dagbon Chieftancy crisis, etc ”
Mr Frimpong added that, this Government distributed Over 300 Ambulance to all 275 Constituencies and reminder to selected hospitals, Also Drones Medical Delivery to health facilities across thr country, ongoing Agenda 111 hospitals, Cencer treatment centers, clearing of huge debts at NHIA to health facilities, etc.
“During the COVID-19 era, Teachers stayed home for a year(1year) but were paid the full salary without any hitches, Electricity and water was provided freely to all Ghanaians, Front line workers received 50% increment in salaries for over year and NBSSR also distributed free loans to support individuals.
On roads, this government achievements is unmatched from Pokuase Interchange, Ongoing Takoradi Interchange, Nuagua Interchange, Obets3bi Interchange, etc, Dualization of Accra to Kumasi road, Eastern Corridor road, all the visible roads projects done across the country is there for everyone to see.
The Borteyman and legon Sports Stadium on addition to the Numerous AstroTurf and the 5000 seater stadium across the previous 10 regions with some completed and others Ongoing deserves praise.
Due to the visionary leadership Nana Bawumia Western Union Money transfer again due to Mobile Money Interoperability services which allows mobile money transfer across different networks.
According to Mr Frimpong, His Greatest Ghanaian Presidents are Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo because these leaders have left indelible marks which generation unborn would continue to celebrate them.
In conclusion, He thank Prez Akufo for Rotating the 6th March parade across the region which boost the various local economy , He believes Ghanaians would retain the NPP to continue these tremendous achievement but won’t repeat the 2008 mistake which took Ghana’s Development back.
A two-day orientation programme has been organised by the Asokwa Municipal Assembly to equip both elected members and government appointees with the requisite knowledge, skills and tools to help them deal with the complexities of local governance and efficiently discharge their duties with diligence and professionalism within their various electoral areas and their municipalities at large.
The two-day programme, which started on Wednesday, 27th March 2024, is expected to end on Thursday, 28th March 2024, for all elected assembly members and government appointees in the Assembly’s conference hall.
The Assembly Member for the Ahinsan Estate Electoral Area, who doubles as the Presiding Member (PM) for Asokwa Municipal Assembly, Nana Yaw Wiredu, chaired the first day session, with the support of the Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Samuel Owusu Mensah, on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Akwanuasa Gyimah.
The orientation programme primarily focused on two crucial aspects – the Legal Frame Work and the Decentralisation Policy, as well as the Model Standing Order, to guide their esteemed members.
Nana Yaw Wiredu (1st Right) speaking at the Orientation Programme
The members were encouraged to take the two-day programme seriously and acquaint themselves, especially with the standing orders of the Assembly, in order not to conflict with either the technocrats or their fellow assembly members.
The members were sensitised to liaise with the available stakeholders in the various electoral areas for a positive change in development in the municipality.
Nana Yaw Wiredu concluded by informing members about the paperless system which will be officially introduced after the Easter break .
According to him, the paperless system is part of the digital transformation agenda, which would provide customers with a more efficient and hassle-free customer service.
