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Fierce contest as NPP holds parliamentary primaries
The keenly contested New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries came off last Saturday in 101 constituencies across the country.
The exercise was characterised by fierce competition, with 101 MPs securing their slots, and about 35 new entrants getting the nod to lead the party in their various constituencies for the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The Greater Accra Region was equally marked with intense competition in 20 constituencies.
Meanwhile, seven of the candidates who went unopposed in the Greater Accra Region were endorsed by delegates to hoist the flag of the party in the upcoming December 2020 elections.
Despite tough opposition, Procurement Minister, Adwoa Safo managed a slim victory over Mike Oquaye Jnr, in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency.
While Titus Glover won the Tema East Constituency over Benjamin Ashittey Armah, Carlos Ahenkorah retained the Tema West constituency, winning against Keku Armquasi-Armuzuah and Kwasi Poku.
Sheila Bartels-Sam won the Ablekuma North Constituency over Nana Akua Afriyie, Kwadwo Barwuah and John Agbotey, while, Ebenezer Gilbert Nii Narh Nartey won the Ablekuma Central seat.
Polling station women organiser, Dakoa Newman pulled 440 votes to outwit sitting MP, Ahmed Arthur who garnered 327 votes, and Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta who had 21 votes in the Okaikoi South Constituency.
Yaw Buaben Asamoah won the Adenta seat against Emmanuel Mantey, Rahman Zak, Alfred Ababio Kumi and Freda Sarpong.
Meanwhile, Krowor Constituency was grabbed by Elizabeth Afoley Quaye who clinched a victory over Emmanuel Laryea Oda and Eric Aryikwei Okine.
Dickson Adomako Kissi won with 324 votes in the contest which was with four candidates including the current Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Dr Emmanuel Lamptey in the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency.
Lydia Darlington Fordjour reports from the Upper West (WA) that, three incumbent MPs were defeated in the primaries held by the NPP last Saturday.
Mr Issahaku Amidu Chinnia won Sissala East, Sissala West went to Salifu Naliwie Balluwie while Salifu Yakubu emerged parliamentary candidate of Wa East.
In the Lawra Constituency, Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Anthony Abayifaa Karbo maintained his candidature.
FROM THE UPPER EAST, SAMUEL AKAPULE, BOLGATANGA REPORTS that, the Regional Minister, Ms Tangoba Abayageon defeated the incumbent MP for Navrongo Central in the Upper East Region.
In another development, the Deputy Regional Minister, who is the incumbent MP for the Zebilla constituency, Frank Adongo Fuseini won the race.
The election was peaceful without any hitches and confrontation and held under strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols.
From Northern Region, Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, reports that Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, son of the late former Vice President Aliu Mahama was elected to contest the parliamentary elections on the ticket of the NPP in the Yendi Constituency.
At the Nanton Constituency, the incumbent MP Alhaji Hardi Tufeilo beat his only contender Abdulai Kamal-Deen to retain the mandate in the 2020 parliamentary election.
In the North East Region, the Local Government and Rural Development Minister Hajia Alima Mahama had landslide victory over four other contestants in the Nalerigu-Gambaga parliamentary primaries.
In the same region, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northern Development Authority, Hajia Lariba Abudu, emerged victorious over Dr Sagri Banbangi.
However, the North East Region, incumbent MP, Mr Solomon Bout retained the slot for the Bunkprugu Constituency.
Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman and David Kodjo, report from the EASTERN REGION that Michael Okyere Baafi emerged the parliamentary candidate for New Juaben South Constituency, while Joseph Frempong won the Nkawkaw seat.
The contest in the Mpraeso Constituency was won by David Ansah Opoku, with
Kwadwo Asante winning the Suhum slot.
Three incumbent MPs, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Frank Annoh Dompreh, Gifty Twum Ampofo, all won their respective constituency slots.
Alexander Kwadwo Agyare was triumphant in the Kade Constituency; Samuel Aye-Paye snatched that of the Ayensuano ticket, while the Akwatia Constituency went to Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Daniel Dzirasah reports from the Bono Region that Nelson Kyeremeh won the Berekum East Paul Twum Barima won Dormaa East while Sunyani East went to Akwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh
The keenly contested election witnessed some skirmishes with some supporters of the MP allegedly attacking some party executives at the residency.
David Yarboi-Tetteh, also reports from the Central Region that Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa went to Emmanuel Adjei Domson, Upper Denkyira East went to Festus Awuah Kwofie, Twifo Atti-Morkwa went to Ebenezer Obeng Dwamena, Barbara Asher Ayisi won at Cape Coast North constituency, while Elvis M. Donkoh was retained at Abura-Asebu-Kwamanke.
The MP of Mfantseman Constituency, Ekow K. Hayford retained his slot, Assin North went to Abena Durowaa Mensah, Hemang Lower Denkyira constituency was won by the incumbent and Deputy Minister of Employment, Bright Wireko-Brobbey.
Incumbents at Upper Denkyira West, Agona West, Awutu Senya West and Gomoa West constituencies all retained their nominations.
Clement Adzei Boye reports from the Western Region that Dr Prince Hamid Armah won at Kwesimintsim, at Mpohor Constituency, a new entrant, John Sanie won, Edward Amo Acquah won at the Wassa Amenfi East primaries while Samuel Erickson emerged winner at Shama.
Meanwhile, the Takoradi MP, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, retained his nomination, MP for Effia, and Deputy Minister for Energy, Joseph Cudjoe was also retained while Kojo Kum won Ahanta West.
Six MPs including Joe Ghartey, Minister for Railway Development, Essikado-Ketan, Catherine Abelema Afeku, Member of Parliament, for Evalue-Gwira, Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament for Prestea-Huni Valley, were acclaimed by delegates on Friday.
Others were Paul Essien, Deputy Minister, Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs, for Jomoro, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, Sekondi, and George Mireku-Duker, incumbent for the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency.
Alfred Obeng Boateng won Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai while MP for Akontonmbra, Alex Tetteh and Dr Kwaku Afriyie of Sefwi Wiawso were acclaimed.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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