Twenty-six parliamentary hopefuls will compete for the nine seats currently being occupied by nine Members of Parliament (MPs) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Western Region in today’s parliamentary primaries.
The nine constituencies in Western Region comprise of Tarkwa Nsuaem, Ahanta West, Mpohor, Kwesimintsim, Effia, Takoradi, Sekondi, Essikado–Ketan, and Shama.
Among the notable candidates being challenged are, George Mireku-Duker, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and two-term MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency, who is competing with Gordon Opoku Boateng, the former 2nd Vice Chairman of the NPP and Francis Elliason.
In Ahanta West constituency, four people are contesting. They are, Benedict Appau, the incumbent 2nd Vice Chairman of the party in the constituency, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ahanta West John Agyare, businessman Francis Eric Pobee, and John Kwesi Yankey.
In Mpohor constituency, John Kobina Abbam Aboah Sanie, the incumbent MP in his first term, would face his predecessor, Alex Kofi Agyekum, a 2- term Member of Parliament of the area, and Philip Asirifi Cobbina.
In Kwesimintsim constituency, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, a first-term MP, is competing with former Deputy CEO of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Mrs. Yaa Pokuaa Baiden.
For Effia constituency, the current MP, Joseph Cudjoe, who became the first MP to occupy the seat when it was created in 2012 has been the lawmaker for Effia for three consecutive terms.
He is competing with Yaw Boamah Nyarko, a tax expert and private legal practitioner.
The incumbent MP for Takoradi constituency, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who doubles as the Western Regional Minister, is competing with former Youth Organiser of Takoradi constituency, Frederick Sam-Incoom, and Richard Essuman Addison, a businessman and entrepreneur.
Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is a four-term MP who took over from late Mrs. Gladys Asmah.
In Sekondi constituency, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, a two-term MP and Deputy Minister of Energy would be contesting with Benjamin Paa Kwasi Moses, former constable and Regional Officer.
For Essikado–Ketan constituency, all three candidates are new. The incumbent Member of parliament for the area Joe Ghartey would be hanging his boot as he exits parliament in 2024.
Charles Cromwell Bissue, former Western Regional Secretary of NPP, Anna Horma Akaisie Mieza, Western Regional Treasurer of NPP and Deputy Director-General of National Lottery Authority as well as Giovani Osei Tutu, the former youth organizer of NPP in Essikado Ketan constituency would scramble for Joe Ghartey’s replacement.
In Shama, Samuel Ericson Abekah Esq, a first-term MP, would face Joseph Amoah, former District Chief Executive, and Shama constituency Chairman, Emelia Aikins, Women Organiser for the constituency, and Isaac Kwamena Afful, Managing Director of Lower Pra Rural Bank.
The competition among the candidates in the Western Region is not just keen, but could produce shocking outcomes.
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
