4 Parties to battle Amenfi by-election on Tuesday

With barely five days to the Amenfi West by-election, four political parties are leaving nothing to chance to win the parliamentary slot.

The four parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP),the National Democratic Congress (NDC),the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the United Freedom Party (UFP) are criss-crossing the length and breadth of the constituency, all in a bid to win the hearts and minds of the electorate.

The bye-election, fixed for Tuesday, December 15, 2015, follows the demise of the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for the area.

The four candidates are Mr Abraham Kwadwo Buadee, a 41-year-old accountant for the PPP, Mr Paul Derkyi, 43 a lawyer, for the NPP, Mr Elvis Adjei, a 30-year-old Loan Administrator for the UFP, Mr Eric Afful, 41-year-old Economist representing the NDC.

Whoever steps in the shoes of the late MP will be determined next Tuesday when the election takes place.

Electoral Commission

The Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Stephen Opoku-Mensah, told the Daily Graphic the commission was doing everything possible to ensure a free, fair and smooth bye-election.

He said the electoral materials and ballot papers were being dispatched to the district police command for safekeeping and that “we don’t expect any difficulty with regard to conducting the election on the day.”

Police preparedness

The Western Regional Police Command, led by DCOP Mr Alex Quainoo said the police were putting in place adequate measures for a peaceful election.

He said a total of 148 senior police officers and men would be deployed with five patrol teams and men at each polling station in the constituency, as well as at collation centres.

The commander said Specially Formed Police Unit would be on standby to assist in case of any eventuality.

Historical perspective

The Amenfi West Constituency is one of the oldest constituencies – out of which Amenfi Central was carved and was later elevated to a district status.

The constituency, after the country returned to constitutional rule in 1992, had always voted NDC until 2003 when the then NDC member, Mr Kofi Asante resigned as MP.

The by-election led to the NPP’s Agnes Samfo winning the seat for the very first time for a little over a year and it returned to the NDC again in the general election in 2004 until the demise of  John Gyatuah.

Even though it looks like a straight fight between the NDC and NPP, the other two parties, the PPP and UFP are upbeat about their chances.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) and People’s National Convention (PNC) are not taking part in the election.

PPP chances

The Regional 2nd Vice-Chairman of PPP, Mr Mathew K Bento, said the PPP would surprise the NPP and the NDC.

He said the focus of their campaign was on issues and how they would ensure that the party provided the best for the people of Ghana starting from Amenfi West.

Mr Famous Acquah of the NDC said the party was solid on the ground and nothing would derail their efforts to retain the seat.

“We are aware of the task ahead of us, and we are taking the campaign seriously to ensure that victory is ours,” he said.