Lydia Seyram Alhassan
The newly-elected parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Ayawaso West Wugon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has stepped up her campaign to retain the seat for the ruling party.
The seat became vacant following the untimely death of her husband, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, who was the MP of the area.
During the NPP’s primary held last week in Accra, Ms. Alhassan, popularly called Maa Lydia, polled 441 votes to become the parliamentary candidate.
She initially entered the race with five candidates but one of the candidates, Rev. Edward Agyekum Kufuor, son of former president John Agyekum Kufuor stepped down at the eleventh hour.
The former president’s son had explained that he decided to step down for the widow out of respect for the Agyarko family.
Other four aspirants included Ato Williams, who polled 131 votes, Maame Yaa G. Aboagye (76), Samuel Owusu Amankwah (19) and Victoria Esinam Ansah Offei (1) at the end of the contest.
The widow has been a strong NPP member for many years.
She is a member of the Volta Regional Finance Committee of the party and Ayawaso West Wuogon Finance Committee since 2014.
She is credited for donating the current Greater Accra Regional Office at Pig farm and served as patron of the Greater Accra Women’s Wing from 2014 to 2018.
The NPP candidate holds MBA Marketing (UGBS, Legon), ??B.A Entrepreneurship ?(GIMPA) and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ??of Lymens Medical Supplies in Accra.
She is a board member of the Minerals Commission and holds other leadership posts, including Vice Chairperson of Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association, Ghana, as well as Executive Member, Chamber of Pharmacy Ghana since 2016.
She is also the treasurer of the Women Fellowship, Accra Ridge Church, Spintex Branch, Regional Chairperson (Southern Sector), Lions Club Ghana from 2014 to 2015, President, Accra Premier Lions Club- 2005 to 2006.
Mr. Agyarko died suddenly in the United States on November 21, last year, and the by-election is expected to be held on 31st January, 2019.