Private legal practitioner and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate hopeful for the Bekwai constituency in the Asante Region, Ralph Poku Adusei, is targeting a total of 90 per cent of the total valid votes that will be cast during the upcoming NPP Parliamentary primaries in the area on January 20, 2024.
The astute lawyer is confident of securing the massive endorsement of the 985 delegates who are expected to elect a Parliamentary candidate for the Bekwai constituency ahead of the December 7 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
His hopes of securing a landslide victory in the primaries are hinged on the strong relationship he has built with NPP delegates in Bekwai over the years.
Mr. Poku-Adusei the Managing Partner at Trent Legal Amansie Chambers made the projection in a one-on-one interview on Akoma FM, in Kumasi, today, November 30, 2023.
“I have maintained strong and healthy relations with the delegates of Bekwai and I can confidently say that if the primaries take place today as we speak, I should secure more than 90 percent of the total valid votes cast. I am this confident because I know the kind of relationship I have built with the delegates and they will not put me to shame,” Mr. Poku-Adusei said.
“The delegates in Bekwai occupy a special place in my heart and I love them just like I love my family. I know the plans I have for NPP delegates in Bekwai. I have assured them that I will introduce among others; a welfare scheme for all delegates in the Bekwai constituency, a training programme among delegates, and voluntary life insurance. I don’t think the delegates will reject me and the carefully thought-out plans I have for them,” he added.
Intention
Ralph Poku-Adusei, officially announced his intention to vie for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidacy in the Bekwai Constituency parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region during the upcoming December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Bekwai seat is currently held by the NPP, and the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise), has decided not to seek re-election after representing the constituency for sixteen years across four different parliamentary terms (2008 to 2024).
The National Executive Committee of the NPP, in a statement issued on Friday, 10 November 2023, has set the date for the party’s Parliamentary Primaries in constituencies with sitting MPs.
The primaries are scheduled for January 200, 2024, with nominations opening on December 20 and closing on December 22, 2023.
Vision for Amansie
Ralph Poku-Adusei, who is a British-trained lawyer with thirteen years of experience in corporate and commercial practice, land acquisition, and criminal law, aims to leverage his extensive experience to represent Bekwai in Parliament.
Having spent his formative years in the constituency, he is committed to transforming the municipality. As an indigene of Bekwai, Poku-Adusei has undertaken several socially impactful projects in the area, demonstrating his dedication to the well-being of its residents.
His vision for Amansie revolves around key thematic areas, including job creation, poverty alleviation, agriculture, infrastructure development, youth employment, education, and pensions.
Education and Livelihood
Poku-Adusei places a strong emphasis on education to break the cycle of poverty, proposing improvements in infrastructure, scholarships, and programs to enhance educational outcomes.
Additionally, he aims to create sustainable livelihoods by fostering entrepreneurship, skill development, and job creation, offering vocational training facilities and support to local enterprises.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure development is a top priority for Poku-Adusei, focusing on transportation, water and energy supply, toilet facilities, and sustainable housing programmes.
He envisions attracting local and foreign investors to establish recreational centers, shopping malls, manufacturing companies, and tertiary institutions, ultimately addressing youth unemployment.
Advocacy and Policy Reform
As a lawyer, Poku-Adusei plans to use advocacy and policy reform to address structural issues contributing to poverty. He aims to collaborate with governmental institutions, civil society groups, and local authorities to establish laws and policies promoting social justice and reducing inequality in the Bekwai Municipality.
Healthcare and Social Welfare
Recognizing the importance of a strong social welfare system and accessible healthcare, Poku-Adusei plans to improve social protection programs, healthcare infrastructure, and preventative healthcare practices. He intends to build healthcare facilities closer to constituents, reducing the strain on Bekwai Hospital.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak