Ashanti Region NPP retains 15 "sitting" parliamentary candidates

Accra (Greater Accra) The Ashanti Regional Executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has retained 15 "sitting" MPs to contest the December 8 parliamentary election.

A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday by Mr. Frederick Freduah Antoh, Regional Chairman of the party, said the decision was taken in consultation with the National Executive Council.

The candidates are Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo (Subin), Dr. Kwame Addo Kufour (Manhyia), Mr. Edward Osei Kwaku (Asokwa West), Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu (Asante Akim North), and Mr. Anthony Boadi Mensah (Obuasi).

Others are Mr Kwame Osei Prempeh (Nsuta Kwamang), Mr. Samuel Nkrumah Gyimah (Odotobiri, Mr. J.Y. Amoah (Bosome Freho), Nana Asante Frempong (Kwabre), and Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah (Afigya Sekyere West).

The rest are Mr. James Adusei Sarkordie (Atwima Nwabiagya), Mr. Kwasi Afriyie Dante (Atwima Mponua), Mrs. Grace Coleman (Effiduase), Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku (Offinso North), and Mr. Stephen Kwaku Manu Balado (Ahafo Ano South).

The statement said candidates have been selected in all five constituencies where the party lost in the 1996 elections.

They are, Madam Elizabeth Owusu (Ejura-Sekyedumasi), Dr. Edward Baffoe Bonnie (Asokwa East), Mr. Francis Dorpenyor (New Edubiase), Mr. K.T. Hammond (Adansi Asokwa), and Mr. K. Frempong (Ahafo Ano North).

The statement said it had also been decided that constituency congresses should be held in four constituencies - Sekyere West, Offinso South, Asante Akim South and Bosomtwe, not later than August 7.

The party asked all aspiring candidates and their agents in these constituencies to refrain from mudslinging, provocation or acts that may bring the party into disrepute.

It said the party is "unravelling a few outstanding knots" in the remaining constituencies.