Ahead of Fomena By-Election

SEVEN PERSONS, all members of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P), have expressed interest in stepping into the shoes of the late Mr. Akwasi Afrifa, the former Member of Parliament (M.P) for Adansi Fomena as M.P for the area in the upcoming Fomena bye-election.

The death of Mr. Afrifa would necessitate the Fomena bye-election, which no doubt would be the first major political election to be held next year.

And when the deadline given by the party for those interested in contesting the party's primaries at Fomena, which would see one of them been elected to represent the party in the January 23, 2007 had elapsed at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, only the seven had availed themselves for the primary, which is to be held at a date yet to be announced.

They are Messrs Daniel Kingsley Atta-Boafo, 47 and a transport officer at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (K.M.A), Andrew Amaoko Assiamah. 40 also at K.M.A, Kwesi Annan Frimpong, 40 a teacher and a 60-year old Joseph Hilary Oppong.

The rest are Nana Abu-Bonsra, 49,a Charted Architect, Mr. Joseph Kwadwo Attobrah, 56, a Charted Accountant and Mr. K. Fosu Asante, a 52 year-old Quantity Surveyor.

The party gave those interested in contesting the primary eight days thus between 11th and 19th of this month and to the N.P.P Ashanti Regional Secretary Mr. Sam Cudjoe, the party would not extend the date for the filing of the nominations.

Mr. Cudjoe speaking to newsmen at Fomena on Tuesday, hinted that the party would consider vetting the aspirants on Saturday but was quick to add, "that would be confirmed after consulting the National Executives".

When asked by a colleague whether they would pick a candidate instead of conducting primary to elect who would represent the party in the bye-election, Mr. Cudjoe noted "it is not a clear cut that we would pick a candidate as conducting of primary is possible".

The party's Fomena Constituency Organizer, Mr. Ohene Djan Anane on his part told this reporter that victory for the party was a done deal as the late M.P created a good image for the party in the Constituency.

The Fomena Constituency has since 1996 been represented in Parliament by the late Mr. Afrifa and to Mr. Anane, "retaining the seat would not be a problem at all but what we are aiming at is to maximize our votes".

Meanwhile, one of NDC's big gurus in the Fomena Constituency who spoke to the paper on conditions of anonymity, has debunked speculations that the main opposition party in the country was not participating in the forthcoming bye- election in the area.

"Who said we are not contesting the seat. We are really contesting and I promise you, our candidate would emerge after our national congress".