President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
All is set for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to select its parliamentary candidates tomorrow, an exercise which will prepare the party fully for the crucial 2020 general election in December.
After trouncing the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2016, the NPP is seeking another term in office and the stakes are very high in many constituencies where the party controls the seat in Parliament.
Nana/Bawumia Ticket
The party will use the same platform to officially endorse the candidature of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flag bearer and running mate respectively after they were selected to lead the party in December unopposed by the Council of Elders and the National Executive Committee.
The primaries are to be held in the 168 constituencies since the rest of the areas where the party does not have control over in Parliament were concluded last year. The party was forced to cancel the internal elections, which were supposed to be held on April 25, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region, which is the stronghold of the ruling party, has the highest number of contestants. I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr. reports from Kumasi that 16 aspirants from different constituencies, who are mainly occupying key positions in the Akufo-Addo government, are going unopposed.
They include Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is going for his seventh term on NPP ticket in the Suame Constituency and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo, the Education Minister, who is going for his fourth term in Manhyia South.
The rest are William Owuraku Aidoo, Affigya Kwabre South; Mavis Nkansah Boadu, Affigya Sekyere East; Suleman Adamu Sanid, Ahafo Ano North; Francis Manu Adabor, Ahafo Ano South East; Augustine Collins Ntim, Offinso North; and Johnson Kwaku Adu, Ahafo Ano South West.
Also going unopposed are Patricia Appiagyei, Asokwa; Isaac Kwame Asiamah, Atwima Mponua; Joseph Osei-Owusu, Bekwai; Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, Atwima Nwabiagya South; Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum, Bosomtwe; Philip Ofori Asante, Fomena; Francisca Oteng Mensah, Kwabre East; and George Boahen Oduro, New Edubiase.
However, there are key battlegrounds in areas like the Adansi Asokwa Constituency where incumbent Kobina Tahir Hammond is facing stiff competition from Samuel Binfoh in a contest which has been described as very close. The reign of the long-time sitting MP looks a bit shaky.
At Afigya Kwabre North, six people, including incumbent Marfo Nana Amaniampong, are battling it out. The others are Sampson Opoku Ware, Collins Adomako-Mensah, Peter Antwi Boasiako, Raymond Opoku and Daniel Dweteh-Agyare.
Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi is facing an uphill task from young Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, Head of the Accra Digital Centre in Asante Akyem Central, whilst it is going to be the battle of the titans as ex-MP, Kwadwo BaahAgyeman makes a comeback to face incumbent Andy Appiah-Kubi at Asante Akyem North.
At Asante Akyem South, there is no clear favourite as five people battle for the one slot as incumbent Kwaku Asante-Boateng, musician Bice Obuor Osei-Kuffuor, aka Obuor, Edmond Oppong-Peprah, William Yamoah and Eric Amofa battle it out.
At Akrofuom, seven contestants, namely Alex Blankson, Fausitina Araba Boakye, Pobi Kwabena, Francis Agyei Amponsah, Sarfoh-Abu Maxwell, George Obeng Frimpong and Charles Korankye Donkor are sorting things out as the incumbent, Kwabena Appiah-Pinkrah, is not contesting.
The MP for Atwima Kwanwoma, Dr. Kojo Appiah-Kubi, would face a tough competition from two young contestants, namely Nana Kwaku Owusu Acheampong and Kofi Amankwa-Manu.
Benito Owusu-Bio of Atwima Nwabiagya North is facing Frank Yeboah, and at Bosome Freho, Joyce A. A. Adjei, the sitting female MP, is facing competition from two males, namely Peter Adjei Agyeman and Akwasi Sarko Boateng.
In one of the hotspots, incumbent Daniel Okyem Aboagye is facing stiff competition from Deputy Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye at Bantama, while the Ashanti Regional NPP Deputy General Secretary, Kwame AdomAppiah, is challenging incumbent Effiduase Asokore Lawmaker, Dr. Nana Yaw Afriyie.
At Ejisu, it appears to be a two-horse contest between the sitting MP, Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi, and John A. Kumah of the NEIP, with Abena Pokuaa Amoah Boaitey as the third contestant.
Ama Ampomah Boateng, the sitting female MP for Juaben, faces Alexander Oppong-Poku, while at Kumawu, the incumbent, Philip Basoah, is facing stiff competition from Deputy Minister Robert Kwame Ahenkan-Lindsay, Dr. Philip Yaw Bannor, and Lawyer Edward Kofi Osei.
Samiu Kwadwo Nuamah, the sitting Kwadaso MP has to sort it out with Vincent Frimpong Manu and Dr. Kingsley Nyarko of National Accreditation Board.
At Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, the incumbent MP, is facing Benjamin Arthur and former Mampong MP, Francis Addai-Nimo.
At Manhyia North, incumbent Collins Owusu Amankwa is facing an ‘old foe’ in Akwasi Konadu, while at Manso Adubia, it is a two-horse race between incumbent Addo Yaw Frimpong and Kofi Osei Afoakwa.
Incumbent Joseph Albert Quarm needs to dig deep at Manso Nkwanta as four aspirants, including a former MP for the area, Grace Addo, have vowed to end his reign. The other aspirants are Owusu Mensah, George Obeng and Emmanuel Oppong Boakye-Yiadom.
Another tricky contest is at Nhyiaso where it is a rematch between incumbent MP, Kennedy Kankam, and the current MASLOC Boss, Stephen Amoah, nicknamed as ‘Sticker’. And at Nsuta Kwaman Beposo, incumbent Kwame Asafu-Adjei will battle it out with Alhaji Kofi Baryeh and Adelaide Yaa Agyeiwaa Ntim.
Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, the Obuasi West MP, is facing Faustina Oppong Sarfo and Godfrey Banin, while at Obuasi East, the sitting MP, Dr. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, will face Enoch Enhwere Afoakwah and Samuel Akwasi Owusu Bawuah.
Incumbent Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi is sorting it out with Anthony Mmieh at Odotobri, while at Offinso South, incumbent Ben Abdallah is facing two experienced competitors in the persons of Isaac Yaw Opoku and Desmond Chris Appiah.
Incumbent Emmanuel Marfo and Emmanuel Yaw Adu Amankwa’s race for the Oforikrom seat has been described by political pundits as a close contest. And at Tafo, there would be six fresh faces vying for the seat being vacated by experienced MP Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei.
The aspirants are Dr. Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor, Lord Inusah Lansah, Emmanuel Obeng, Archibald Ntiri-Acquah, Prince Odeneho Oppong and Vincent Ekow Assaffuah Junior, who speaks for the Ministry of Education.
At Subin, the incumbent MP, Eugene Boakye-Antwi, is once again facing an old foe, J. B. Danquah aka Osono Papa.
Greater Accra
There are key battlegrounds in the Greater Accra Region where apart from seven sitting MPs going unopposed, all the other seats are being keenly contested, according to Presidential Correspondent Charles Takyi-Boadu.
Those going unopposed include Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful for Ablekuma West; Deputy Minister for Health Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye for Ledzokuku; Deputy Minister for National Security, Henry Quartey for Ayawaso Central; Minister of State at the Office of the Vice-President, Boniface Abubakar Saddique for Madina; Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Patrick Yaw Boamah for Okaikoi Central; Second Deputy Majority Whip in Parliament, Moses Anim; Trobu-Amasaman and Deputy Minister for Health, Tina Mensah for Weija-Gbawe.
At Ablekuma Central, incumbent Ebenezer Nartey will square it up with Paul Lantey Lamptey while incumbent Nana Akua Owusu will John Kojo Agbotey, Kwadwo Opoku Adjei and Sheila Bartels, daughter of Kwamina Bartels, for Ablekuma North.
The Communications Director of NPP and MP for Adentan, Yaw Buaben Asamoah, is facing stiff competition coming from Emmanuel Kwesi Mantey, Freda Agyemang Sarpong and Alfred Kumi Ababio.
The contest in the Anyaa-Sowutuom with the exit of incumbent MP for the area and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who has decided not to seek re-election.
Five party members are sorting it out to replace the MP. They include Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi who contested the Foreign Minister the last time, Nana Ama Asafo Boakye, Edna Patricia Sackey, Emmanuel Tobbin and Emmanuel Lamptey.
At Bortianor-Ngleshie, incumbent Alhaji Habib Saad is not seeking re-election and in his place, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Youth Authority (NYA), Sylvester Tetteh, is slugging it out with George Addo, Gifty Mensah and Frederick Abban.
They main flashpoint should be Dome-Kwabenya where the incumbent MP and Minister for Public Procurement, Sarah Adwoa Safo, comes up to face Ghana’s High Commissioner to India, Mike Oquaye Jnr., whose father and now Speaker of Parliament used to occupy that seat.
At Krowor, the Minister of State in charge of Fisheries, Elizabeth Afoley, the incumbent, is facing Eric Aryikwei Okine and Emmanuel Laryea, while the former Deputy Minister for Communications, incumbent Vincent Sowah Odotei, comes up with opposition from Joseph Gerald Tetteh Nyanyofio and Comfort Adei Kotey.
The battle for Okaikoi South also promises to be exciting with incumbent Ahmed Arthur being challenged by Darkoa Newman and Nana Fredua Agyemang.
At Okaikoi North, incumbent Fuseini Issah is having a straight fight with journalist Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, who is contesting for the second time.
The incumbent MP for Tema Central, Kofi Brako, is also facing opposition from Yves Hanson, Agyeman Prempeh and Charles Forson, while the Deputy Minister of Transport and MP for Tema East, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, is being contested by Benjamin Ashitey.
At Tema West, the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, incumbent Kingsley Carlos Ahenkora, is facing Keku Armquasi and Kwasi Poku Bosompim.
Eastern Region
From the home of President Akufo-Addo in the Eastern Region, Daniel Bampoe Reports that 12 MPs are going unopposed.
They include the Minister of Information and MP for Ofoase-Ayerebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; Minister for Integration and Regional Re-organisation and MP for Okere, Daniel Botwe; MP for Fanteakwa North, Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah; Minister of Roads and Highways and MP for Atiwa West, Kwasi Amoako-Attah; and the Deputy Minister of Finance and MP for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, and the MP for Upper Manya Krobo, Joseph Tetteh.
The rest are MP for Asene-Akroso-Manso, George Aboagye; Deputy Minister of Information and MP for Akuapem North, Asiamah-Adjei Nana Dokua; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and MP for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko; Minister of Works and Housing and MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea; MP for Abirem, John Osei Frimpong and Minister of State at the Interior Ministry and MP for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong.
Flash Points
The key flashpoints in the region are in New Juaben South, Nkawkaw, Nsawam, Aburi, Suhum, Akim-Oda, Ayensuano, Akwatia, Kadewhere; the incumbent MPs in these constituencies are facing stiff competitions from their opponents.
At Nkawkaw, Regional Minister and incumbent Eric Kwakye Darfour is battling it out with five other candidates in the persons of ex-MP Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri, ex-MP Seth Adjei Baah aka Shaaba, David Asante Boateng of Let My Vote Count fame, Joyce Opoku Boateng and Frempong Joseph.
New Juaben South is a repeat and straight fight between incumbent Dr. Mark Assibey Yeboah, who is a member of the Economic Management Team of the government and Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament and the CEO of GFZA, Michael Okyere Baafi.
At Akwatia, the incumbent MP, Ama Mercy Aseidu aka Ama Sey, who was able to defeat the then NDC MP, Baba Jamal, in 2016, is facing three men, namely Ernest Yaw Kumi, Bernard Owiredu Donkor and Robert Boateng Ampratwum, while at Nsawam, the incumbent MP, Frank Annor Dompreh, is facing Lawyer David Adu-Tutu Jnr.
The incumbent MP for Suhum, Frederick Opare-Ansah, who has been in Parliament since 1997, will face Kwadwo Oboafo Asante while at Aburi, incumbent Osei Bonsu Amoah (O. B. Amoah) is being challenged by Eric Samuel Annor and Kwame Ofori-Gyau.
At Upper West Akim, ex-MP Gifty Kleman, Kwabena Nkansah Asamoah, Kwadwo Odame Antwi, Charles Acheampong and ex-MCE Kwabena Sintim–Aboagye are sorting it out to replace the incumbent, Kyei Baffour, who is not contesting again due to his health conditions.
The Ayensuano race is a straight fight between incumbent Samuel Ayeh–Paye and his former Campaign Manager Tetteh Mark Reindoff, but two female candidates are lurking around.
At Mpraeso, incumbent Seth Kwame Acheampong is sorting it out with Davis Opoku Ansah aka OPK.
At Akim-Oda, incumbent William Agyapong-Quaitoo is being challenged by Alexander Akwasi Aquah, while at Abuakwa North, incumbent Gifty Twum-Ampofo, who is the Deputy Minister of Education, is also facing fierce competition from Kofi Obeng Mensah, Nana Serwaa Acheampong and Kay Amoah Jnr., a former aspirant.
Central Region
In the Central Region, Emmanuel Opoku Reports that seven incumbent MPs are going unopposed. They include Alexander Afenyo Markin, Effutu; Mavis Hawa Koomson, Awutu Senya East; Naana Eyiah, Gomoa Central; Kojo Asemanyi, Gomoa East; Francis Kigsley Ato Cudjoe, Ekumfi; John Ntim Fordjour, Assin South; and Kennnedy Ohene Agyapong, Assin Central.
In the Assin North Constituency, incumbent Abena Durowaa Mensah and Emmanuel Antwi-Boasiako are contesting the seat, while at Twifo Ati-Morkwa, three stalwarts, namely incumbent Abraham Dwuma Odoom, Prof. Francis Owusu- Mensah and Ebenezer Obeng Dwamena are battling it out for the seat.
Incumbent Bright Wireko-Brobby and Nana Kwame Yamoah Hagan are also vying for the Hemang Lower Denkyira seat, while at Mfantseman, it is a straight fight between incumbent Ekow Kwansa Hayford and James Korsah Brown.
At Agona West, three stalwarts, namely incumbent Cynthia Mamle Morrison, ex-MP Samuel Kweku Obodai and Yawson Otoo are also vying for the seat, while as many as six party members are also contesting the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa.
They include incumbent Anthony Effah, Samuel Ofori Ampomah, Francis Ampong-Ansah Banasco, Ernest Kojo Smith, Bright Essilfie-Kumi and Emmanuel Adjei Domson.
At Awutu Senya West, incumbent Nenyi George Andah is being challenged by Joseph Aidoo, while in the Cape Coast North Constituency, incumbent Barbara Asher Ayisi is battling it out with Lawrence Ampah, Joseph Thomas Baidoo and Philip Longdon.
Incumbent Elvis Morris Donkor and Eric Kobina Nyanteh are contesting at Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, while at Gomoa West, incumbent Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban and Abass Kodwo Acquah are also vying for the seat.
In the Upper DenkyiraWest Constituency, four persons, namely incumbent Nana Amoako, Richmond Nii Duodo, Dr. Festus Awuah Kwofie and Charles Afari-Mensah are jostling for the seat, while at Upper Denkyira West, incumbent Benjaming Kofi Ayeh and Samuel Nsowah Djan are in for a fight.
Western Region
In the Western Region, Emmanuel Opoku, reports that Sekondi, Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Jomoro, Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira, Prestea-Huni Valley and Essikado-Ketan MPs are going unopposed.
They include Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Sekondi; George Mireku Duker, Tarkwa-Nsuaem; Paul Essien, Jomoro; Catherine Abelema Afeku, Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira; Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Prestea-Huni Valley; and Joe Ghartey, Essikado-Ketan.
At Kwesimintsim, incumbent Joe Mensah and the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Dr. Prince Armah are in for a battle while another hotspot, the Ahanta West Constituency is being contested by incumbent Ebenezer Kojo Kum and ex-DCE Kwesi Biney.
In Takoradi, two candidates – incumbent Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, and Jane Edna Nyame, Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture (NCC) – are contesting the seat.
At Shama, incumbent Ato Panford and Samuel Erickson Abeka, a lawyer, are also battling it out, while Joseph Cudjoe, who is the incumbent, is being challenged by Adwoa Kwegyiriba, a lecturer at the Takoradi Technical University, for the Effia seat.
At Mpohor, Alex Agyekum, the incumbent, and John Kobina Abban and Aboah Sanie are contesting, while incumbent Patrick Bogyako-Saime and Edward Amo-Acquah are vying for the Amenfi East seat.
Western North
In the Western North Region, the Bibiani-Anwhiaso-Bekwai Constituency will also witness a fierce ‘fight’ as a former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport (BOST), Alfred Obeng Boateng, has vowed to defeat the incumbent and the Western North Regional Minister, Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu.
The candidates of the other two constituencies where the NPP is having sitting MPs in the region are going unopposed.
They include a former Minister of Health, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, MP for Sefwi Wiawso, and Alex Tetteh, MP for Sefwi Akontombara and Deputy Regional Minister, Western North.
Bono Regions
In the Bono Region, Daniel Y. Dayee reports that in all 39 aspirants, with nine from Ahafo, 8 from Bono East and 22 from Bono regions are in the contest.
There is, however, low female representation in the polls as only three female candidates each from the three regions are contesting.
They are Freda Prempeh, Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection who is going unopposed in Tano North in the Ahafo Region; Prof. Tina Abrefa -Gyan who is battling it out with the incumbent, Prof George Gyan-Baffour Minister for Planning from the Wenchi. The third female aspirant is Jacqueline Boatemaa Bonsu for Nkoranza North who is also trying hard to unseat Deputy Minister for Defence, Major Derek Oduro (rtd).
The four MPs in the Bono Region who are going unopposed are Berekum West – Agyenim-Boateng Kwaku; Dormaa West – Ali Maiga Halidu; Dormaa Central – Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (Health Minister); Jaman North- Siaka Stevens; and Sunyani West, Ignatius Baffour Awuah (Employment and Labour Relation Minister).
Berekum East has three aspirants, Paul Ofori-Amanfo, Solomon Kyere-Boadu and Nelson Kyeremeh trying to unseat the incumbent Dr. Kwabena Twum-Nuamah.
Two persons are also contesting incumbent Willian Kwasi Sabi for Dorma East, while in Jaman South, two candidates want to unseat Deputy Minister for Aviation, Yaw Maama Afful.
In Sunyani East, Majority Chief Whip Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh is being contested by the Regional Chairman of the Ghana Bar Association, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah.
The two candidates who are contesting incumbent Gabriel Osei in Tain are Alexander Ababio and Alex Ofori.
In Ahafo, Benjamin Yeboah-Sekyere, Deputy Minister for Ahafo is going unopposed in Tano South while in Asutifi North, incumbent Joseph Benhazin Dahan isbeing challenged by William Frimpong-Bonsu, Patrick Bannor and Stephen Kwaku Manu Akuoko.
Ahafo Regional Minister and MP for Asunafo North, Evans Opoku Bobie is fiercely being challenged by Paul Gyan and Farouk Nkrumah.
In the Bono East Region, Regional Minister Kofi Amoakohene, who snatched the seat from the NDC for the first time, is going unopposed for Atebubu Amanten, while Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Deputy Minister for Regional Re-organization and Development is going unopposed at Techiman South.
Northern Region
In the Northern Region, Eric Kombat reports that all eyes are on the Yendi seat where former Vice-President’s son Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama, Deputy MASLOC Boss Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah and Baba Osman Daney are slugging it out to replace Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Habid Tijani, who is not seeking re-election.
At Nanton, incumbent Mohammed Hardi-Tufeiru and Kamaldeen Abdulai, Deputy National Communication of the party, are fighting for the slot, while at Tolon, incumbent Alhaji Wahab Suhuyini Wumbeian is facing competition from Habib Iddrisu, Jacob Baako, Mohamed Zakaria and Hajia Amama Sayibu.
In the Saboba Constituency, incumbent Charles Bintim is facing Abraham Binapadam Jawol and Kayil Barnabas, while at Wulensi, it is a straight fight between incumbent Thomas Donkor Ogajah and Haruna Abdulai.
Matthew Nyindam of Kpandai, Savelugu MP Muhamed Abdul-Samed Gunu and Dominic Ntiwul of Bimbilla are all going unopposed.
North East Region
At Walewale, where Vice-President D. Bawumia votes, incumbent Sagre Bambangi is facing Yidana Zakaria, Seth Panwum, Lariba Z. Abudu, Ishaq Ibrahim and Susana Alo Tia.
Bunkpurugu has incumbent Solomon Namiliit Boar facing Duut Daniel Janaman, Tingoti Kombong and Jabong Minnyilia, while at Nalerigu/Gambaga, incumbent Hajia Mahama Alima, who is the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Sampa S. Mohammed and MusahYamba Issahaku are contesting.
Savannah Region
At Salaga South in the Savannah Region which is the only seat for the NPP, Salifu Adam Braimah is going unopposed.
Upper East
In the Upper East Region Ebo Brice-Quansah reports that Navrongo Central has been considered a hotspot as it is expected to witness a ‘brutal fight’ between Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda, who is the incumbent MP and the Upper East Regional Minister and Ghana’s former Ambassador to Italy, Tangoba Abayage, the ‘Lioness’ as she is affectionately called.
At Zebilla, incumbent Frank Fuseini Adongo, who is the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, is facing Dr. John Kingsley Kurugu for the third time.
In the Tempane Constituency, Deputy Attorney General and Member of Parliament for Tempane, Joseph DindiokKpemka, is going unopposed.
Upper West
In the Upper West Region, a total of 12 people will be contesting in five constituencies in an all-male contest.
At Nandom, Ambrose Dery, who is the Minister of Interior, will be going through the process unopposed but in Lawra Deputy Road Minister, Anthony Abayifaa Karbo, will be contested by Joseph Billson Dontaa.
The Sissala West will see the incumbent Patrick Al-Hassan Adamah lock horns with a former DCE for the Sissala West District, Salifu Naliwie Baluwie and Luri Tia John-Bosco.
In Sissala East Constituency, the battle is between the incumbent Ridwan Abass Dauda and Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Issahaku Amidu Chinnia, while Wa East will see the incumbent Bayon Godfrey Tangu facing Dr. Adams Sorekuon Yakubu Adama, Salifu Yakubu and Adam Baduon Nasirdeen.