Can Nii Armah Ashietey Be Booted Out?

Indications are that the sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will have it very difficult to retain their seats come January 2012 when the party opens nominations.

Mr Nii Armah Ashietey who is the Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for the Korley Klottey constituency for instance will face a tough challenge from a number of contestants; key among them is Mr. Leeford Kpakpo Quarshie the great grandson of Tetteh Quarshie, the man who introduced cocoa to Ghana.

Mr. Leeford Quarshie is a young activist of the NDC, an enthusiastic advocate of positive thinking and an experienced hotelier who happens to be the only contender among the lot, who stood against the Regional Minister in the 2004 primaries, which observers believe the election results was distorted to favour the Regional Minister.
Leeford, whose strength and appeal lies with the youth, women and opinion leaders within the constituency is being urged by the teaming supporters of the party to once again contest in order to retain the seat for the NDC, a source disclosed.
Enquiries made in the constituency revealed that the MP and Minister of the area have lost touch with the grassroots. They are therefore calling for his exit as indications show that the ruling NDC would lose the Korle Klottey seat if the party fails to adhere to the cry and wishes of the voting public.
“The Regional Minister is not amicable and is stuck-up to say the least. He does not follow the philosophy and ideology of the party thereby weakening the effectiveness of the party activities within the constituency and also not a single branch executive has met over the past two years and he (Minister) has always criticized one party executive member or the other”, according to the youth group called, Brainy Boys Union when this paper interacted with within the constituency.
In an interview, Mr. Stephen Adjetey Holm, a youth leader of a group called Brainy Boys Union at Osu in the constituency said; the call on Mr. Leeford Quarshie to contest the seat for 2012 elections is very essential and strategic for the youth and the party in the constituency. He eulogized the good works of Mr. Quarshie for providing jobs for the youth, organizing them for sporting activities and assisting them with some financial support.
He said, Mr. Quarshie, as an hotelier has secured jobs, created opportunities for many of the youth, and believes that when given the chance, he would do well to meet the aspiration of the youth.
Mr. Adjetey Holm called on the youth in the constituency to throw their weight behind Mr. Quarshie and persuade him to contest the parliamentary seat for the NDC to enable Prof. Mills to get competent, youthful and ardent hands in parliament to help him fulfill the “Better Ghana Agenda”.
By: Emmanuel Tornyi-0249915121