Politics of Thursday, 28 August 2008

Source: GNA

Vote for me as an independent candidate - Former NDC MP

Agona Swedru, Aug. 28, GNA - Mr Samuel Oppong, a former National Democratic Congress' Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West, has declared his intention to contest this year's parliamentary election as an independent candidate.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Agona Swedru in the Central Region, he said, the decision to contest was due to pressure from chiefs, opinion leaders, market women and some political leaders.

Mr Oppong said the people in the constituency had realized that his four years in parliament, saw many development projects in every town in the area, and that had prompted them to throw their support behind him in the December election.

According to the former MP, he was the only person who could turn the fortunes of the constituency around; adding that, the eight years of his successor had not seen any improvement in the area, especially in Swedru.

He said no MP would be able to provide quality living standard to the people, except him, and called on the people to rally behind him to win the seat.

Mr Oppong said majority of the people had declared to support him to capture the seat. He said he would officially launch his campaign on September 6, adding that, he had listed 34 reasons why people in the constituency should vote for him. He described his symbol as a white dove with a white leaf in its beak.

Mr Oppong said he did not contest on the ticket of the NDC because the current Parliamentary Candidate had refused to set down, because of a court case he was involved with. According to Mr Oppong, he is liasing with some investors to build a University at Swedru and to strengthen the campus of the University of Cape Coast, yet to be opened at Agona Nyakrom. He assured the chiefs and people of the area that he would not meddle in chieftaincy matters, to ensure peace and stability in the area. He appealed to the people to vote for him in the December election.