News
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
News
GFP founder Akua Donkor passes on
Akua Donkor
The founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor, has passed away.
She died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital on Monday, October 28 at 72.
Reports gathered by The Spectator indicated that she was diagnosed with respiratory issues at the Nsawam Government Hospital and was referred to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital where she died.
Known for her spirited presence in Ghanaian politics, Akua Donkor was a staunch advocate for the rights of farmers and women.
Her bold and outspoken demeanour enabled her to capture public attention and significantly impact the grassroots communities she aimed to represent.
Throughout her political journey, she distinguished herself by running for the presidency multiple ti mes, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite financial challenges.
Akua Donkor was listed as the third candidate on the ballot for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Her political career began with her election as the Assemblywoman for Herman in the Ashanti region, and she made her first bid for the presidency in 2012 as an independent candidate.
She was, however, disqualified by the Electoral Commission in 2012 and 2016 for the reason that she did not meet the eligibility requirements.
News
Stop using breast enhancing creams …they expose females to breast cancer
Mrs Enyonam Abiti making a presentation
Women have been cautioned to stop using of breast enhancing creams which is said to contain estrogen, predisposing them to the breast cancer disease.
Using such creams over time increases estrogen levels in patrons of such products thereby exposing them to the disease.
Estrogen is a type of sex hormone responsible for development and regulation of female reproductive system and secondary sex chart.
Mrs Enyonam Abiti, a medical officer at Madina Pentecost Hospital, said this at a day’s seminar and breast cancer awareness creation day at Sunyani in the Bono Region.
The programme, organised by the Bono Regional office of COCOBOD, forms part of activities to mark this year’s World Breast Cancer Day celebrations held every year in October.
Some staff of COCOBOD and women in cocoa farming used the opportunity to have their breast screened.
Mrs Abiti during a presentation revealed that one in every eight women was diagnosed of breast cancer while 1 from 1,000 men contract the disease.
She noted that early detection and regular screening was the surest way to salvage the situation.
She mentioned that habits such as excessive smoking and alcohol intake predisposes women to breast cancer.
Moreover, she added that people advanced in age, past history, past ovarian cancer case as well as young girls that menstruate early, among others stands the risk of contracting the disease.
The Bono Regional Administrator of COCOBOD, Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu, stated that the decision to organise the breast screening was to ensure that women in cocoa farming were healthy at all times to go about their farming activities in order to increase productivity.
“We don’t want a situation where our women in cocoa farming are infected with breast cancer disease to jeopardise the cocoa sector,” he said.
According him, the Regional Office of COCOBOD in partnership with the Bono Regional Teaching hospital would organised screening for about 4,000 women on October 31, 2024 at Goaso in the Ahafo Region.
The move, he said, was part of their corporate social responsibility towards women as the world mark breast cancer awareness creation this month.
Some of the women who spoke to The Spectator commended COCOBOD for the gesture and called on other institutions of state to emulate the example.
The organisers later held a float on the principal streets of Sunyani to create awareness on the breast cancer disease.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Sunyani