Oppong-Nkrumah not qualified to run for NPP MP primaries – Const. Chair

Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah is not qualified to run for parliament on the ticket of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ofoase-Ayirebi, the party’s Constituency Chairman Mr. Ohene Ampomah has told Starr News’ Eastern Regional Correspondent Kojo Ansah.

“You must have served the party in the Constituency for at least two years to run as an MP, but Kojo has served the party for less than a year and a half, so what is pushing him to stand as an MP in this constituency?” Mr Ampomah wondered in an interview Friday April 10, 2015.

The ace broadcaster, who recently announced his intention to run in the NPP’s parliamentary primaries said he has weighed the “potential risks and discomforts of political life,” but upon “calls and encouragements to run,” he has come to the conclusion that he can help fix Ghana’s problems through politics.

“My decision to run for public office is not one I have made lightly. I have weighed the calls and encouragements to run, against the potential risks and discomforts of Political life. I have spent weeks consulting with delegates and members of my community and my family,” the former host of the Super Morning Show of Joy FM announced on his Facebook page.

He added: “In Ghana today many of us complain about the ills of our nation. However, few of us are willing to offer ourselves to be part of the process of fixing these ills. Many of us think nothing can be done. Others think the costs will be too high.

“After careful consideration, I am of the view that many more of us can put aside our personal needs and take up a challenge higher than ourselves. I believe that many more of us who are unhappy with the status-quo must step up and be part of the process of fixing our problems.”

Oppong-Nkrumah said in the weeks ahead therefore, “I will be going through my party’s nomination, filing and campaign processes ahead of the June 13 parliamentary primaries. I hope I will be successful at the end of the day so I can contribute my quota directly to my party, my constituency and my nation.

“I thank all persons and groups who have already expressed support and well wishes for this decision. I will count on their support in my campaign. I thank my family for agreeing that I take up this challenge.”

“Together we can win this primary. Together we can win the 2016 election. Together we can turn around the fortunes of this constituency and our nation. Thank You and Lets get to work,” he concluded.

However, Mr Ampomah has said any attempt to bulldoze Mr Oppong-Nkrumah’s candidature through, in blatant disregard to the laws of the party would amount to setting a bad example.

“I’m just stating the law in the constituency. If the Regional or national Executives decide to pass him then it will set a bad precedent for the party in the constituency. That is why I’m trying to prevent that. That is what I’m trying to avoid, not that I’m opposed to his ambition.

“If Kojo goes, it will worry the party because Kojo is a stranger in the party…He is not in touch with the grassroots. He is a fine gentleman, but he needs to serve the party for a while before ascending to that level,” Mr Ampomah said.